Men's Water Polo Drops Pair of Ranked Foes

Sunday, September 15

Princeton, NJ

10:30 AM

George Washington University

Brown

Photo by: Christine Yardley

9/15/2019 5:57:00 PM | Water Polo

Colonials downed No. 19 Brown and No. 12 Princeton

PRINCETON, N.J. - GW men's water polo edged No. 12 Princeton, 13-12, on Sunday afternoon to complete an impressive doubleheader sweep to close its stay at the Princeton Invitational.

In a rematch from last season's NCAA Tournament, the 15th-ranked Colonials took control with a run of four straight goals to open the final period before fending off a late charge by the host Tigers.

Earlier in the day, the Buff and Blue knocked off No. 19 Brown, 10-7, behind four goals and two assists from Andras Levai.

With three wins in four games over two days at DeNunzio Pool, GW concluded the weekend at 7-1 overall.

GW 13, Princeton 12: The Colonials entered the final period trailing 10-9, but they did enough down the stretch to take down the Tigers.

First-year Chris Lee sparked GW's decisive 4-0 run with a pair of goals to open the fourth. Levai's score with 1:50 remaining pushed the lead to 13-10.

Princeton answered with back-to-back goals, but the Colonials dug in defensively to snuff out the Tigers' chance to tie in the closing seconds.

Gabriele Simonti put together an impressive all-around effort in the victory with a team-high four goals and a program-record seven field blocks.

Levai continued his strong start by totaling three goals and three assists, while Lee and Mavis scored two goals apiece. Josh Yardley and Antonin Kralj also notched scores vs. the Tigers.

Matt Taylor did his part in net, piling up 13 saves in the weekend finale.

GW 10, Brown 7: The Colonials answered every challenge to dispatch the Bears in the opener.

GW never trailed but needed a strong finish to close out the victory.

After Brown pulled within 7-6 early in the fourth, Mavis and Simonti scored back-to-back goals to restore the cushion. The Colonials held the Bears to just one goal over the final 5:54.

Levai set the pace by scoring three of his four goals after halftime.

Mavis put together a productive performance with three goals and three ejections drawn. Simonti (two goals) and Jordan Blosser (one) also chipped in offensively.

Taylor stopped 14 shots in the victory.

UP NEXT: GW travels to the Bucknell Invitational for four games next weekend in its final tune-up for Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference play.

GW 10, Brown 7
B--2-0-2-3--7
GW--2-3-2-3--10

GW Goals: Levai 4, Mavis 3, Simonti 2, Blosser 1.
GW Assists: Levai 2, Kralj 1, Schroeder 1, Davis 1, Yardley 1.
GW Steals: Lee 2, Levai 2, Mavis 1, Davis 1, Kralj 1.
GW Field Blocks: Simonti 2, Maas 2, Mavis 1, Lee 1, Russo 1, Kralj 1.
GW Ejections Drawn: Levai 3, Mavis 3, Simonti 1, Blosser 1, Gill 1.
GW Saves: Taylor 14.

GW 13, Princeton 12
P--4-1-5-2--12
GW--3-4-2-4--13

GW Goals: Simonti 4, Levai 3, Mavis 2, Lee 2, Yardley 1, Kralj 1.
GW Assists: Levai 3, Schroeder 3, Gill 1, Simonti 1.
GW Steals: Simonti 2, Maas 1, LEvai 1, Gill 1, Pendolino 1, Lee 1.
GW Field Blocks: Simonti 7, Schroeder 2, Lee 1, Kralj 1.
GW Ejections Drawn: Mavis 3, Davis 1, Lee 1.
GW Saves: Taylor 13.