PRINCETON, N.J. – The Navy water polo team (4-3) posted a 12-7 victory over Iona (2-5) to close out play at the 2021 Princeton Invitational at DuNuzio Pool in Princeton, N.J.
 
"It wasn't the prettiest game, but we did what we needed to do to win," head coach Luis Nicolao said. "There were too many penalties and ejections, but I am proud of the team for pushing through and coming away with a win. We have next weekend off, but then will take on Air Force. We hope to see the Brigade fill up Lejeune Hall for that game."
 
Offensively, eight different Midshipmen found the back of the net, including a trip of Mids who notched multiple goals. Isaac Salinas (Spring City, Pa.) paced the offense with three goals for his second hat trick of the weekend. Hayden Kahn (San Clemente, Calif.) and Chris Kim (Los Angeles, Calif.) added a pair of scores apiece. Salinas and Jake Altmayer (Pasadena, Calif.) paced the squad with a pair of assists each.
 
Defensively, Navy used a pair of goalies. The duo finished with 17 saves and seven goals allowed. Max Sandberg (Newport Beach, Calif.) started the game, earning the win for the Mids. The senior finished with five saves, while surrendering three scores. Sandberg also led the team with two steals in the game. In the second half, Caden Capobianco (Laguna Beach, Calif.) took over between the pipes, finishing with 12 stops and giving up four goals.
 
Iona was the first team to score, netting a goal early. Graham Lindner (Bel Air, Md.) followed with his first goal of the game to knot the score at 1-1. Following a Gaels goal, the Midshipmen used scores by Kim and Ivan Pang (El Monte, Calif.) to take a 3-2 advantage through one quarter. Lindner opened the second quarter with a pass to Kahn, who buried the ball in the back of the net. Iona trimmed the margin to one, but Kim followed with his second score of the half. Salinas and Nathan Duchez (San Jose, Calif.) extended Navy's lead to 7-3 heading into the half.
 
In the third quarter, Iona used back-to-back goals to trim the margin, but Navy responded with scores from Salinas and Kahn. Jack Weggeland (Riverside, Calif.) extended the Mids' lead with his third goal of the weekend. Salinas opened the fourth quarter with his third goal of the afternoon, giving the team captain his second hat trick of the weekend. Kyle Yelensky (Stamford, Conn.) pushed the advantage to seven. Iona netted a pair of scores, but Navy was able to come away with a 12-7 victory.
 
Navy returns to action on Thursday, Sept. 23, as the Midshipmen host Air Force at Lejeune Hall at 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.