By Dominic Capone
After a thrilling season with exciting victories and hard-fought losses, the Fordham University men’s water polo team ended its season at the 2017 MAWPC Championship tournament. The Rams started off the championship competition strong, as they defeated Johns Hopkins University, 11-9.
However, Fordham then faced its rival George Washington University. The Rams came up short, losing 16-15 in a gritty, hard-fought overtime battle.
But, their season was not over yet. They then faced off against Bucknell University, looking to remain alive in the postseason, but they could not. The Bison outscored the Rams 10-9, ending Fordham’s opportunity to advance.
The Rams ended their year with an 18-12 record. They spent much of the season ranked in the Top 25 and upset some of the top programs in the nation. Although the team did not reach its goal of a league championship, they still succeeded beyond most people’s expectations. Their determination, perseverance and intense competitiveness pushed them to become an elite water polo program. They showed that they should not be taken for granted and fought until the very end, coming up short by one goal in each of their losses.
A number of Aquatic Rams received individual honors. Coach Bill Harris was named the MAWPC East All-Conference Coach of the Year. In addition, graduate student attacker Massimilliano Mirachi was named to the MAWPC East All-Conference First Team. He was also named Rookie of the Year for the conference. He led the Rams in goals, points, field blocks, ejections drawn and extra-man goals. Another Ram, sophomore driver Jake-Miller Tolt, was also named to the First Team. He led the team in steals and assists. He was also second behind Mirachi in goals and points. Senior goalkeeper Alex Jahns earned second team MAWPC East All-Conference honors. He had 207 saves this season, as well as 50 steals and 11 assists.
The Rams boasted a very successful campaign this year and although they came up short, will look to continue their success next season. Jahns, Mirachi, Ethan Vandeventer and Cameron Shewchuck will be great losses for the squad. However, the incoming recruits and the strong returners will combine to hopefully continue the atmosphere of success and dominance that Harris has instilled and developed within his players and his program. The 2017 team has set a standard that will be difficult to match in the years to come, but with the talent that remains, should be interesting to watch.
