STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Wagner College men's water polo team split a pair of Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) home matches on Sunday at the Spiro Aquatic Center, dropping an 11-9 decision to Navy in the morning opener before bouncing back for a 12-11 victory over George Washington in the afternoon.

Game 1 Results: Wagner 9 – Navy 11

The Seahawks came out with strong energy in the opening frame. Senior Gabe Johnson struck first for Wagner, finding the back of the net at the 6:28 mark to give the home side an early 1-0 lead. Navy responded with a pair of goals before the quarter closed, leaving Wagner trailing 2-1 after the first eight minutes.

During the second quarter, the Midshipmen extended their momentum, building a 4-2 advantage. Sophomore Kelly Murphy and junior Matan Friedenberg, provided a strong offense for the Green & White, breaking through Navy's defense to record each their first goal of the day. Despite a late push, Wagner faced a 6-3 deficit heading into halftime.

Out of the break, the Seahawks dug in defensively and matched Navy goal-for-goal in a physical third quarter. Senior captain Patrick Ray scored a pair of goals, and junior captain Smith Connors added a clutch tally to keep Wagner within striking distance, trailing 6-8 as the game entered the final frame.

Wagner had an aggressive comeback attempt in the fourth quarter. Friedenberg completed his hat trick, while Connors also found the back of the net in a intense final eight minutes. However, Navy's defense held firm down the stretch, securing the 11-9 final victory.

Goals: Friedenberg (3), Connors (2), Ray (2), Muphy, Johnson

Game 2 Results: Wagner 12 – George Washington 11

The Seahawks came out aggressively, establishing a narrow 2-0 advantage after the opening eight minutes. Sophomore Kelly Murphy provided the opening strike for the Seahawks, finding the back of the net with help from junior Matan Friedenberg, to keep Wagner within striking distance heading into the first break.

Both teams had a fast-paced second frame, trading goals. Wagner's offense recorded three goals in the period, highlighted by finishes from senior Vince Varga, sophomore Jacob Troy, and Friedenberg. The high-intensity quarter kept the Green & White on the Revolutionaries' heels as the teams headed toward halftime.

In the third quarter, George Washington created distance, outscoring Wagner 5-1. Junior Weston Swank anchored Wagner's only goal of the frame.

Entering the final frame, Wagner dug deep on both ends of the pool to complete the comeback. The Seahawks' defense tightened up, while the offense delivered a clutch seven-goal surge. Multi-goal performance from Friedenberg and Murphy alongside goal additions from senior captain Patrick Ray and sophomore Nadav Carmon, powered Wagner past George Washington, sealing the thrilling 12-11 victory before the final buzzer.

Goals: Friedenberg (4), Murphy (3), Carmon, Varga, Troy, Ray, Swank

Up Next

The Seahawks will return to the Spiro Sports Center next weekend for a busy home stretch, hosting Mount St. Mary's (Md.) on Saturday, October 17 at 10:30 a.m., followed by a matchup against Bucknell later that afternoon at 4:00 p.m. Wagner will then wrap up the weekend action on Sunday, October 18, welcoming Mercyhurst to Staten Island for a 10:30 a.m. contest.