Water polo has strong showing at Navy Open
By Rob Duffy
Contributing Writer
The men’s water polo team opened its season by going 3-1 in the Navy Open last weekend, rebounding to defeat Iona, Queens (N.Y.) and Fordham but losing its season opener to No. 1 California.
The Bison finished the weekend against Iona. They jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first half, thanks largely to a nine-save performance from Nick Donahue ’10 in goal, and cruised to a 15-9 victory.
Richie Hyden ’11 led the way with his second five-goal game in two days. Sean Coghlan ’11 also contributed three goals.
“We got better every game,” co-captain Alex Lampley ’09 said.
“At this point in the season, we don’t really need to worry about wins and losses, just improving each game.”
In this the Orange and Blue succeeded. “Everyone was pretty pleased with the way we played,” Heiber said. “Everyone thought they were improving as they were playing.”
In their game against Queens, the Bison posted a commanding 15-2 victory. Sixteen different players contributed either a goal or an assist for the Orange and Blue, led by Hyden and Paul Reamey ’11 with three goals apiece and Donahue with three assists.
The Orange and Blue quickly rebounded against Fordham. The Bison dominated the pool, outscoring Fordham 8-3 in the second half on route to a 16-8 victory. Hyden led the Bison with five goals and four assists, and seven other players scored for the Orange and Blue.
In the first game of the season, the Orange and Blue faced powerhouse California. The Bison came out strong, staying close to California throughout the first half. The score remained tied at the end of the first quarter, and the Bison trailed only 5-9 at halftime. California pulled away in the second half, and the Bison fell 6-18.
“We played a really respectable first half,” co-captain Gabriel Heiber ’09 said. “It was unfortunate the way the second half turned out. Playing an opponent like that is always a learning experience.”
“The game highlighted all of our weaknesses,” Lampley said.
Since the team graduated seven seniors last year, more opportunities have opened up for players who only saw limited playing time in the past, as well as newcomers, including the team’s six freshmen. Much of the team is young or inexperienced, but everyone is expected to contribute.
“It’s very clear that there’s going to be a team effort involving absolutely everyone,” Heiber said.
Every available player on the roster played during each of the four games. Contribution was widespread, particularly in the Fordman and Queens games.
Goalies Donahue and Miles Gilhuly ’11 also split time equally.
“These first couple weekends we’ll work on the stuff we need to work on,” Lampley said. “Just playing together is one of the big things.”
The Bison will face Iona, 18th-ranked George Washington, 15th-ranked Santa Clara and third-ranked Stanford in the Princeton Invitational this weekend.
