Sunday, November 18
Bronx, N.Y.
1:30 PM
George Washington University
12
vs
11
Bucknell
Men’s Water Polo Takes Overtime Thriller for Repeat MAWPC Crown
11/18/2018 5:00:00 PM | Water Polo
Colonials survived OT to beat Bucknell for the title
BRONX, N.Y. – With its season hanging in the balance, George Washington men's water polo kept fighting to claim a repeat Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference title and head back to the NCAA Tournament.
After trailing top-seeded Bucknell in the closing seconds of regulation, the Colonials tied it on Atakan Destici's buzzer-beating goal and went on to claim a 12-11 overtime win in Sunday's MAWPC final at Col. Francis B. Messmore Aquatic Center.
GW found a way to follow up last season's first-ever conference crown with another championship celebration, boosted by Destici's heroics and a pair of overtime tallies from Andrew Mavis. The Buff and Blue now advance to NCAA play with an opening-round matchup at Northeast Water Polo Conference champion Princeton next Saturday at 1 p.m.
"I think it just shows our work ethic and how we're ready for whatever environment we're in," senior Jack Kerwin said. "Bucknell's a great team, and to come out and battle them the whole time goal after goal and defensive stop after defensive stop means a lot."
Sunday's matchup between the MAWPC's top two clubs seemed destined for a thrilling finish from the opening whistle.
GW (22-6) led 2-0 on goals by Nick Schroeder and Andras Levai in the early going before Bucknell (22-7) ran off four straight goals to go in front. The Colonials answered with three straight scores of their own to take a 5-4 lead on Destici's goal with 48 seconds left in the half.
The back-and-forth continued with the defenses taking center stage. During one stretch, GW held Bucknell scoreless for more than 12 minutes of game time, but the Bison battled back to tie it at 8 with 3:18 remaining.
GW was on its heels when Bucknell's Rade Joksimovic scored with eight seconds to go in regulation to take its first lead of the second half. That's when Destici's long-range shot found the top corner of the net to extend the game.
GW outscored the Bucknell, 3-2, through two three-minute overtime periods. Nick Schroeder's goal put the Colonials ahead for good, and Mavis added two scores to keep them in front. The Bison pulled within one with 28 seconds remaining, but the Buff and Blue were able to hold possession, run out the clock and claim their championship.
"What a fantastic match that was to be a part of," head coach Barry King said. "With both teams just throwing haymakers at each other, it was just a blast to be a part of. I've got nothing but respect for our group."
Mavis led GW with three goals and four steals to earn a spot on the All-Tournament First Team, while Destici finished with two goals and three assists to join him. Austin Pyrch also earned All-Tournament honors after setting a career-high with 20 saves.
Levai (All-Tournament Second Team) and Schroeder scored two goals apiece with Kerwin, Zach Slaughter and Josh Yardley also finding the net.
On the heels of last season's title, GW carried the weight of expectations throughout the season. This group, boosted by a solid mix of experienced returners and talented newcomers, handled every challenge, led by All-Conference honorees Destici, Mavis and Pyrch.
This time, the Colonials defeated McKendree, 16-6, on Friday before holding off Wagner, 16-14, on Saturday to advance to the final for the third straight season. They finished the championship push against the Bison, who are ranked No. 15 nationally.
UP NEXT: GW gets another shot in NCAA play after falling in an overtime thriller to Harvard in their debut in the national tournament in 2017.
The Colonials are matched up against No. 18 Princeton, which downed Harvard, 12-10, Sunday to earn the Northeast Water Polo Conference's automatic bid, at DeNunzio Pool in Princeton, N.J. The winner advances to face No. 2 UCLA on Nov. 29 at Stanford with a spot in the national semifinals on the line. The full bracket can be found here.
WATCH THIS: Hear from King, Mavis, Destici and Kerwin after Sunday's overtime victory.
GW 12, Bucknell 11
GW --2-3-2-2-2-1--12
Bucknell --3-1-3-2-0-2--11
GW Goals: Mavis 3, Destici 2, Schroeder 2, Levai 2, Kerwin 1, Slaughter 1, Yardley 1.
GW Assists: Destici 3, Levai 3, Kerwin 1, Slaughter 1, Davis 1.
GW Steals: Mavis 4, Destici 2, Davis 2, Kerwin 1, Slaughter 1, Levai 1, Lillis 1, Schroeder 1.
GW Field Blocks: Destici 2, Kerwin 2, Maas 2, Levai 2, Schroeder 2, Davis 2.
GW Ejections Drawn: Levai 2, Mavis 1, Kerwin 1, Blosser 1.
GW Saves: Pyrch 20.
After trailing top-seeded Bucknell in the closing seconds of regulation, the Colonials tied it on Atakan Destici's buzzer-beating goal and went on to claim a 12-11 overtime win in Sunday's MAWPC final at Col. Francis B. Messmore Aquatic Center.
GW found a way to follow up last season's first-ever conference crown with another championship celebration, boosted by Destici's heroics and a pair of overtime tallies from Andrew Mavis. The Buff and Blue now advance to NCAA play with an opening-round matchup at Northeast Water Polo Conference champion Princeton next Saturday at 1 p.m.
"I think it just shows our work ethic and how we're ready for whatever environment we're in," senior Jack Kerwin said. "Bucknell's a great team, and to come out and battle them the whole time goal after goal and defensive stop after defensive stop means a lot."
Sunday's matchup between the MAWPC's top two clubs seemed destined for a thrilling finish from the opening whistle.
GW (22-6) led 2-0 on goals by Nick Schroeder and Andras Levai in the early going before Bucknell (22-7) ran off four straight goals to go in front. The Colonials answered with three straight scores of their own to take a 5-4 lead on Destici's goal with 48 seconds left in the half.
The back-and-forth continued with the defenses taking center stage. During one stretch, GW held Bucknell scoreless for more than 12 minutes of game time, but the Bison battled back to tie it at 8 with 3:18 remaining.
GW was on its heels when Bucknell's Rade Joksimovic scored with eight seconds to go in regulation to take its first lead of the second half. That's when Destici's long-range shot found the top corner of the net to extend the game.
Bucknell goal with 8 seconds left but Atakan Destici beats the buzzer to force OT! We're tied at 9 in the MAWPC final with two 3-min OT periods coming. pic.twitter.com/QanCvOcA3F
— GW Water Polo (@GW_WaterPolo) November 18, 2018
GW outscored the Bucknell, 3-2, through two three-minute overtime periods. Nick Schroeder's goal put the Colonials ahead for good, and Mavis added two scores to keep them in front. The Bison pulled within one with 28 seconds remaining, but the Buff and Blue were able to hold possession, run out the clock and claim their championship.
"What a fantastic match that was to be a part of," head coach Barry King said. "With both teams just throwing haymakers at each other, it was just a blast to be a part of. I've got nothing but respect for our group."
STILL THE CHAMPS! #RaiseHigh pic.twitter.com/0xb23VkNtW
— GW Water Polo (@GW_WaterPolo) November 18, 2018
Mavis led GW with three goals and four steals to earn a spot on the All-Tournament First Team, while Destici finished with two goals and three assists to join him. Austin Pyrch also earned All-Tournament honors after setting a career-high with 20 saves.
Levai (All-Tournament Second Team) and Schroeder scored two goals apiece with Kerwin, Zach Slaughter and Josh Yardley also finding the net.
On the heels of last season's title, GW carried the weight of expectations throughout the season. This group, boosted by a solid mix of experienced returners and talented newcomers, handled every challenge, led by All-Conference honorees Destici, Mavis and Pyrch.
This time, the Colonials defeated McKendree, 16-6, on Friday before holding off Wagner, 16-14, on Saturday to advance to the final for the third straight season. They finished the championship push against the Bison, who are ranked No. 15 nationally.
UP NEXT: GW gets another shot in NCAA play after falling in an overtime thriller to Harvard in their debut in the national tournament in 2017.
The Colonials are matched up against No. 18 Princeton, which downed Harvard, 12-10, Sunday to earn the Northeast Water Polo Conference's automatic bid, at DeNunzio Pool in Princeton, N.J. The winner advances to face No. 2 UCLA on Nov. 29 at Stanford with a spot in the national semifinals on the line. The full bracket can be found here.
WATCH THIS: Hear from King, Mavis, Destici and Kerwin after Sunday's overtime victory.
Hear from Head Coach Barry King, Atakan Destici, Austin Pyrch and Jack Kerwin after our thrilling MAWPC final win over Bucknell. #RaiseHigh pic.twitter.com/8Q6G7sTMc3
— GW Water Polo (@GW_WaterPolo) November 18, 2018
GW 12, Bucknell 11
GW --2-3-2-2-2-1--12
Bucknell --3-1-3-2-0-2--11
GW Goals: Mavis 3, Destici 2, Schroeder 2, Levai 2, Kerwin 1, Slaughter 1, Yardley 1.
GW Assists: Destici 3, Levai 3, Kerwin 1, Slaughter 1, Davis 1.
GW Steals: Mavis 4, Destici 2, Davis 2, Kerwin 1, Slaughter 1, Levai 1, Lillis 1, Schroeder 1.
GW Field Blocks: Destici 2, Kerwin 2, Maas 2, Levai 2, Schroeder 2, Davis 2.
GW Ejections Drawn: Levai 2, Mavis 1, Kerwin 1, Blosser 1.
GW Saves: Pyrch 20.
Players Mentioned
UTL
/ Water Polo
UTL
/ Water Polo
UTL
/ Water Polo
CEN
/ Water Polo
GK
/ Water Polo
UTL
/ Water Polo
UTL
/ Water Polo
ATT
/ Water PoloNo Bag Policy PSA
Tuesday, August 19
25-26 GW Basketball Sizzle Reel
Wednesday, June 18
2025 SAMH Campaign Video
Tuesday, May 20
2025 The Georgeys Recap Video
Wednesday, May 07