Men's Water Polo Set to Wrap Regular Season

Saturday, November 13

Washington, DC

10 AM

George Washington University

Johns Hopkins

11/11/2021 2:30:00 PM | Water Polo

Watch (JHU)Watch (Navy)

Buff & Blue to celebrate Senior Day at Smith Center Pool

GW men's water polo closes out its regular season on Saturday with a split doubleheader.

The Buff and Blue will start by welcoming Johns Hopkins to Foggy Bottom for a 10 a.m. start on Senior Day at Smith Center Pool before heading to Navy for the nightcap beginning at 8 p.m.

The program will honor graduate student Andras Levai and senior Zachary Pendolino during the Senior Day festivities at approximately 9:50 a.m.

LAST TIME OUT: GW came up short in both ends of a doubleheader last Sunday at Smith Center Pool, falling to Wagner and Fordham.

Nick Schroeder and Antonin Kralj tallied four goals apiece on the day, and Luca Castorina continued his tremendous work in net with 37 total saves between the two games on the heels of his program-record 24-save effort vs. Navy last Thursday.

SENIOR CELEBRATION: On Senior Day, GW honors a group that has helped the program craft a slew of memorable moments while reaching its greatest heights. The Buff and Blue have 71 wins and a .612 winning percentage over the past five seasons, a stretch that's featured a pair of MAWPC titles and a run to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2018.

Over his five seasons as a member of the Buff and Blue, Levai has cemented his place among the program's all-time greats with his play on both ends. The graduate student from Budapest, Hungary, owns three of the top 11 highest single-season point totals in program history, highlighted by a 150-point campaign as a junior in 2019 when he earned ACWPC All-American honors. He's earned All-Conference honors three times (2018, 2019, 2020-21) and been named to the All-MAWPC Championship Team three times (2017, 2018, 2019).

Entering the final weekend of the regular season, Levai sits fourth in program history with 461 career points, and he also ranks among the top five in assists (203, second), goals (272, fourth), steals (182, fifth) and field blocks (43, fifth). He earned his undergraduate degree in Marketing with a minor in Film Studies last May, and he's currently pursuing a master's degree in Communication Management.

Pendolino has tallied nine goals, seven assists and 20 steals over four seasons in Buff and Blue, including career highs in all three categories as a rookie on the team's historic 2018 run.

The Burlingame, Calif., native has been honored on the ACWPC All-Academic Team after each of his first three seasons as a Political Science major with a Public Policy focus. He's set to wrap up his undergraduate coursework next month before beginning work on his Master of Public Policy through GW's Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.

STANDINGS CHECK: GW enters the final weekend of the regular season, looking to secure a top-three seed for the upcoming MAWPC Championship. The Buff and Blue (currently 5-5 in MAWPC play) are fighting for position with Wagner (6-6) and Bucknell (5-6) and would finish alone in third-place in the conference race with a sweep on Saturday. Fordham (11-1) has already locked up the top spot in the standings, and Navy (7-2) has the inside track for a runner-up finish.

The MAWPC Championship runs next Friday through Sunday at Navy's Lejeune Hall.

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION: Johns Hopkins (5-17, 1-8) sits at the bottom of the MAWPC standings but pulled off a major surprise last weekend in its home pool by edging Fordham, 13-12.

GW had to battle to the finish for a 12-11 victory over the Blue Jays back on Sept. 24 in Baltimore. Viktor Jovanovic provided the game-winning score with 48 seconds remaining.

Navy (12-11, 7-2) scored narrow wins over Wagner and Bucknell last weekend while dropping a one-goal decision vs. Fordham.

The Midshipmen won the first matchup between these teams last week, 12-9 in overtime. The Buff and Blue scored the final three goals of regulation, with the equalizer coming on Jovanovic's buzzer-beater, to extend the game before being outscored 3-0 in OT.

MASK UP: Masks are mandated indoors in D.C. unless actively eating or drinking. Please note that the university has revised and updated its visitor policy, adding new requirements for our guests to campus.

To attend matches at Smith Center Pool,

Option 1: Present proof of full Covid-19 vaccination status (via displaying an actual vaccination card, a complete picture of the card, or an online digital vaccination record).

Option 2: Attest that you are vaccinated, or if unvaccinated, attest you have received a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of your visit to campus by registering here. Each individual needs to fill this out and show it at the event.