Men's Water Polo
Men’s Water Polo Commences NWPC Campaign With Two Victories and a Loss
Harvard was busy on the road this weekend, with a trio of games against Princeton, St. Francis College Brooklyn, and Iona College. The Crimson brought back two wins, over the Tigers and Gaels of Iona to start the conference season with a 2-1 league record.
Win vs. Wagner
Sophomore Alexandru Bucur winds up against Wagner, a team Harvard has defeated twice thus far and will face again on Oct. 16.
In Photos: Harvard Athletic Events Return to Campus in Full Force
For the first time in roughly a year and a half, Harvard Athletics is back. Four teams took to the pool, field, and court across campus as fans cheered them on in an action-packed weekend after the first days of classes.
Back to Blodgett: Men’s Water Polo Set to Return to the Pool this Weekend in Bruno Classic
It has been almost a year and a half since the pandemic stopped Ivy League competition, sent Harvard students home, and flipped the world upside down — but Harvard men’s water polo is finally back in the pool together and looking ahead to its first competition in 644 days.
Winding Up
Junior attacker Alex Tsotadze winds up during a game in 2019. Tsotadze notched 56 goals as a sophomore in 2019, the third most on the team.
Out for a Swim
Joe Kaufman '89 powers past the Manhattan skyline, accompanied by a boat and kayak to provide cover.
Skyline Swim
Kaufman does freestyle as the iconic Lower Manhattan skyline, highlighted by One World Trade Center, looms in the background.
Just Keep Swimming: From Blodgett Pool to Manhattan Rivers
Even after four years of evading opponents in Blodgett Pool as a Harvard undergraduate, former Men’s Water Polo player Joseph H. Kaufman ’89 had never taken on a physical task as daunting as swimming the nearly 30-mile loop around Manhattan. That is until this summer, when Kaufman decided to take the plunge through the turbulent tides of the East, Harlem, and Hudson Rivers in New York City.
Ta-Da
Pictured above in September, Sophomore Alex Tsotadze helped lead the offensive attack against Princeton, netting two goals in the victory.
Number 200: Men’s Water Polo vs. Princeton, Game of the Year
“I don’t think there was a feeling of anxiety or nervousness around the team, but I think that people definitely knew the pressure that was on us,” sophomore goalie Noah Hodge said. “Preparation-wise, everyone knew we just had to go out there and do what we’ve been doing all year.”
Holding Up Number 1's
Harvard managed to hold on to its one-goal lead over Princeton in the closing stages of the NWPC Championship. With the 8-7 victory, the team earned the chance for a photo op and an NCAA Tournament berth.
