nANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy water polo team (10-10, 5-1 MAWPC-East) defeated conference rival George Washington (8-11, 5-3), 12-9, on Thursday night in overtime in Lejeune Hall in Annapolis. The Colonials scored the final three goals of regulation, including the game-tying goal as time expired, but the Midshipmen closed out the game by scoring the only three goals of overtime.
"It wasn't pretty, but the team did what they needed to do to earn the win tonight," head coach
Luis Nicolao said after the game. "GW is a tough team and they have battled all year long. We knew they were going to give us a fight tonight and push us all game long. We got some big saves from Caden tonight and the offense really stepped up in overtime to earn us the win. We have three more games this weekend, including two at home. I am happy with the win tonight, but we have to turn our attention to the games this weekend."
Offensively, six Midshipmen combined to score 12 goals on the night.
Hayden Kahn (San Clemente, Calif.) paced the offense, registering his second collegiate hat trick with a team-high three goals.
Jake Altmayer (Pasadena, Calif.),
Merle Richman (La Jolla, Calif.),
Isaac Salinas (Spring City, Pa.), and
Jack Weggeland (Riverside, Calif.) each added a pair of scores each, while
Peter Hillen (Orinda, Calif.) rounded out the scoring. In addition, Altmayer helped facilitate the offense, finishing the game with a team-high four assists.
Caden Capobianco (Laguna Beach, Calif.) worked a complete game goal for the Mids, earning the victory. The sophomore recorded six saves and three steals, while allowing nine goals.
Navy was the first team to score, taking a 1-0 lead on a Weggeland score. George Washington tied the score at 1-1 through one quarter of play. The Midshipmen regained the lead with a pair of goals in the second quarter. Kahn opened the scoring with his first goal of the game, while Richman sent the game into halftime with Navy in front 3-1.
In the second half, the Colonials opened the scoring, closing the margin to one. Salinas and Kahn responded with back-to-back goals to push the advantage to three at 5-2. GW trimmed the margin to 5-3, but Altmayer answered with his first score of the game. Back-to-back goals by George Washington cut the Navy lead to one, but Weggeland ended the period with a goal to put the home team in front 7-5. GW started the fourth quarter with a goal, but consecutive scores by Hillen and Salinas pushed the Mids' advantage to three, 9-6. George Washington closed out regulation with three straight goals, including the equalizer as time expired to knot the game at 9-9 to send it to overtime.
It was all Navy in overtime, as the Midshipmen outscored the Colonials, 3-0 in the extra period. Altmayer broke the tie with his second goal of the game. Kahn followed with his third score to complete the hat trick. With time winding down, Richman added some insurance with a goal to give Navy the three-point victory, 12-9.
The Mids continue the weekend on Saturday, Nov. 6 as they welcome Wagner (13-14, 3-5) at 9:00 a.m. and No. 15 Fordham (20-4, 8-0) at 5:00 p.m. Navy travels to Bucknell (9-10, 4-5) to close out the weekend with a 10:00 a.m. game.
All home games during the week will be played in Lejeune Hall and will be live streamed through CWPATV on Stretch.
