ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy water polo team (16-7, 8-1) earned 12-9 victory over #20 George Washington (12-13, 5-3) on Friday night at Lejeune Hall in Annapolis. The Midshipmen were led by
Kiefer Black, who finished with six points on five goals and an assist. The six points gives the junior 101 points on the season, marking the third consecutive season the attacker has had 100-plus points on the year.
Black becomes the first player in program history with three 100-point seasons. Last season, Black registered his second consecutive 100-point season (125 points in 2023; 171 points in 2024), joining
Luis Nicolao ('92 – 118 points in 1990; 114 points in 1991) and Doug Munz ('95 – 113 points in 1993; 184 points in 1994) as the only players in program history with multiple 100-point seasons.
Quinn Bartlett followed Black with four points on a pair of goals and two assists.
Jack Reif added a hat trick, finishing with three points on three scores, while
Orion Erwin notched three points on a team-high three helpers.
Aiden Day and
James Mulvey finished with two points apiece, each finding the back of the net once and adding an assist.
In goal,
Ryan Munch picked up the win in a complete-game effort. The sophomore registered 15 saves, while holding the potent George Washington offense to single digit goals.
The game was low scoring through the first half. Navy was the first to score as Mulvey slipped one by the keeper. The Revolutionaries responded with a goal, but Bartlett countered to regain a one-goal advantage for the Midshipmen. In the second quarter, Black and Reif notched their first goals of the night to put Navy in front 4-1, but a GW goal sent the game into halftime with the home team in front 4-2.
George Washington began the second half with two goals, including a five-meter score to lock the game at 4-4. Navy regained the advantage as Reif scored his second goal of the game. Black notched back-to-back scores to give himself a hat trick and push the Mids' lead to 7-4. GW used a second penalty shot of the quarter to trim the margin to 7-5.
In the fourth quarter, the Revolutionaries cut the Mids' lead to one, converting a third penalty shot of the second half. Day and Reif countered with goals to extend the Midshipmen advantage to 9-6. Following a GW score, Bartlett scored his second goal of the night to give Navy double-digits, 10-7. George Washington cut the margin to two, but consecutive scores by Black extended the lead to four. The visitors closed the game with a score, providing the final margin of 12-9.
Navy continues play this weekend with a game against Iona at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning at Scott Natatorium. The game will be broadcast on the Navy Athletics YouTube channel.
