George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
Johns Hopkins
Water Polo Rolls Past Johns Hopkins, 12-8; Advances to MAWPC Semifinal Round
11/22/2024 7:15:00 PM | Water Polo
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The No. 2 George Washington University water polo team stormed past No. 7 Johns Hopkins on Friday night, defeating the Blue Jays, 12-8, in the MAWPC Championship Quarterfinal round. GW now advances to the Semifinals where it will face the winner of the Navy-Mount St. Mary's matchup.
GW jumped out to an early lead, leading 5-2 at the end of the first quarter. It took the teams almost half of the second quarter to break back into the scoring, which Johns Hopkins did first, but after the ice was broken it was all GW as the Revolutionaries closed the first half on a 3-0 run to lead 8-3 at halftime.
The Buff & Blue widened the lead to seven at the start of the third quarter, but the Blue Jays - trying to keep their tournament hopes alive - rattled off three-straight goals to cut the lead down to 10-6. With two minutes left in the third, GW recaptured the momentum on an Adonis Vlassis penalty-shot conversion, but a Johns Hopkins buzzer-beating goal closed the third quarter at 11-7.
GW scored early to start the fourth and build a comfortable lead which they did not give up on its way to besting the Blue Jays, 12-8.
GW saw offensive production from up and down the lineup, with five Revolutionaries scoring two or more goals. Yam Kabakov led the effort with three goals and two assists, while Vlassis, Andrija Sekulic, Leo Lueddemann and Antonio Florena each contributed two goals. In goal, Luca Castorina made 18 saves, matching his second-highest save total of the season, and earning him Player of the Match honors.
GW returns to MAWPC Championship action tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. to face the winner of Navy vs. Mount St. Mary's in the final quarterfinal match on Friday night.
