BRONX, N.Y. – The men's water polo team concluded their season at the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference Championships at Fordham's Col. Francis B. Messmore Aquatic Center, going 1-2 across the weekend and ultimately finishing in fourth place. 

The fifth-seeded Wagner men's water polo team opened the MAWPC Championships at Fordham with a dominant 21-13 victory over fifth-seeded Bucknell on Friday afternoon, falling 17-9 to first-seed Fordham on Saturday afternoon. The Seahawks closed out its 2025 season on Sunday morning, falling to second-seeded Navy, 16-14, battling for the MAWPC Tournament's third place slot.
 
Game 1: Wagner 21-Bucknell 13
 
The Seahawks wasted no time establishing control, exploding for seven goals in the first quarter to take a 7-1 lead. Senior captain Laszlo Strasser completed a hat trick and sophomore Smith Connor fueled the early surge with another two goals, each converting on crucial possessions as the Green & White set an aggressive offensive pace that Bucknell struggled to match.
 
In the second quarter, Wagner continued to push forward, outscoring the Bison 6-5 behind goals from sophomore Kelly Murphy, sophomore Matan Friedenberg, sophomore Patrick Ray and Connors, sending the Seahawks into halftime with an 13-7 advantage.
 
Bucknell attempted to climb back in the third period, but Wagner answered every push with sustained scoring of its own. The Seahawks erupted for five goals in the quarter, including three from Strasser and additional tallies from junior Vince Varga and Connors, widening the advantage to 17-10 heading into the final frame.
 
Wagner closed out the fourth quarter with poise and balance, adding four more goals while limiting Bucknell to only three. Friedenberg capped off a standout performance recording two more goals and Strasser added another, securing the 21-13 win and sending the Seahawks into the tournament semifinals for the second straight season.
 
The victory marks one of Wagner's highest-scoring postseason performances in program history and showcased the depth of its attack, with eight different Seahawks finding the back of the net.
 
Goals: Strasser (7), Connors (5), Friedenberg (3), Murphy (2), Ray, Castillo, Carmon, Varga

Game 2: Wagner 9-Fordham 17

Fresh off a dominant 21-13 opening-round win over Bucknell on Friday, Wagner entered the semifinal with momentum. But the nationally ranked Rams—who spent much of the season inside the top five—proved a formidable challenge from the opening sprint.
 
Fordham struck first, capitalizing on an early exclusion to take a 1-0 lead. Wagner countered quickly behind a goal from Strasser, who helped the Seahawks stay within reach through the first quarter. Still, Fordham's five-goal frame pushed the Rams ahead 5-1 after eight minutes. Friedenberg and Strasser each converted to cut Fordham's lead, but the Rams closed the half on a 6-3 run, sending Wagner into the break trailing 11-4.
 
The third quarter proved decisive. Fordham's counterattack and power-play efficiency created separation, outscoring Wagner 4-2 in the period despite a strong effort from freshan Landon Castillo, who delivered Wagner's first goal of the half. A late skip shots from Carmon and Friedenberg kept the Seahawks within striking distance, but the Rams carried a 14-8 advantage into the fourth.
 
Wagner added a final goal in the closing minutes—another strike from Carmon—but could not overcome Fordham's depth and transition speed, ultimately falling 17-9.

Goals: Strasser (2), Carmon (2), Friedenberg (2), Castillo, Aguilera, Ray

Game 3: Wagner 14-Navy 16

The game opened at a rapid pace, with both teams trading goals throughout a tightly contested first quarter. Wagner's attack flowed early as Strasser and Friedenberg each found the back of the net, helping the Seahawks stay even with the Midshipmen at 4-4 after eight minutes.
 
The back and forth continued into the second quarter. Strasser, Castillo and Ray added key scores, while Wagner's defensive unit held firm against Navy's two-meter pressure. Despite several lead changes, the teams remained knotted at 7-7 heading into halftime, setting up a tense second half.
 
Wagner struck first in the third quarter behind a strong finish from Strasser, who delivered his fourth goal of the day to push the Seahawks ahead 8-7. Connors followed with another strike, however Navy had a stronger attack and led the quarter 12-9  entering the final period.
 
Navy responded with a decisive run to open the fourth quarter. The Seahawks continued to push offensively—highlighted by goals from Castillo, Murphy, Connors and Friedenberg—but the Midshipmen capitalized on late exclusions to create just enough separation. Wagner battled until the final whistle, but Navy held on for the 16-14 win.
 
This game concludes the season for the Seahawks as they finish 12-18 overall and 4-8 in conference play as they claim fourth in the MAWPC Tournament.
 
Goals: Strasser (5), Friedenberg (3), Connors (2), Castillo(2), Ray, Murphy