It was a solid Saturday in the pool for Fordham Water Polo as they emerged from their double-header with one win and one loss. Last week, The Rams earned the rank of #16 in the Men’s Varsity Water Polo National Top 20, as well as the #1 spot in the MAWPC Top 5 poll. In their game against #19 George Washington, Fordham fought in a close contest that ultimately resulted in a 9–8 loss. Their second game turned things around with a 16–11 win over Johns Hopkins. The Rams’ overall season record is now 10–3.

The Rams had a tough loss against George Washington, with fantastic play coming from both sides. Fordham retained a slight lead by the half, with the score sitting at 4–2. Senior Jake Miller-Tolt scored three of the four goals for the Rams in that first half, with senior Oscar Nomura tallying the fourth goal.

Fordham came back with a four-goal third quarter. Miller-Tolt, senior Tristen Knoflick, sophomore Dimitris Koukias and freshman Jason Hiremath each scored, making it an 8–5 game.

However, George Washington junior Andras Levai answered with four markers in the fourth quarter, the final of which came with only four minutes left to play. Fordham was unable to score during those final four minutes, with Oscar Nomura’s potential equalizer deflected in the last six seconds, resulting in the one-goal loss. Miller-Tolt finished the game with four goals, two assists and one steal. Nomura and Dimitris Koukias both scored a goal apiece, with Koukias also tacking on a steal and two blocks. Sophomore Bailey O’Mara had fifteen saves in net, racking up seven saves in the 1st quarter. The final score was 9–8 in favor of George Washington.

Fordham evened out the day with a strong win against Johns Hopkins in the second match on Saturday. It was tight throughout the first half, with the score tied up at 7–7 in the early minutes of the third quarter.

The Rams offense ignited quickly, scoring four consecutive goals to make it 11–7, before racking up two more by the end of the third quarter. Fordham hung onto the lead throughout the fourth, scoring three more times and cementing the victory. Miller-Tolt had a stellar outing with five goals and two assists. Koukias and junior Wang each scored three, with Wang also coming away with an assist.

This game was a real team effort, with the other goal scorers including senior Joseph Agabs, Knoflick, Oscar Nomura, junior Sam Wheeler and freshman Quinn Wagner. Bailey O’Mara came away with thirteen saves and two steals. The end result was a 16–11 win for Fordham.

Overall, Fordham continued to improve their winning record and show their strength as a team. The Rams prepare for their annual trip to California, beginning with a match against Redlands on Thursday, Oct. 3. The trip includes the Gary Troyer Tournament, which begins on Friday, Oct. 4 with a game against California Baptist.