The Fordham men’s water polo team defended their undefeated record in their home pool during their last tripleheader of the season on Nov. 9.
The Rams came out on top against Bucknell University, Mercyhurst University and Mount St. Mary’s College. The tripleheader marked the last home games of the season and the Rams’ annual Senior Day, where they honored the graduating seniors on the team.
The three wins at the Col. Francis B. Messmore Aquatics Center brought the Rams undefeated regular season to a close. With a historic 28 overall wins, 14 of them in the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC), the Rams cemented themselves as a powerhouse of Fordham athletics.
“We are doing something special, but at the same time, I feel like we all feel that there’s still plenty left to accomplish.” Brian Bacharach, head coach
Head Coach Brian Bacharach reflected on the Rams’ 28-0 regular season as a historic program record and an all-time top performance for a Fordham Athletics Program. Bacharach echoed the sentiment of his team: they have had incredible success this year, but have more to give as they turn to their postseason run.
“We are doing something special, but at the same time, I feel like we all feel that there’s still plenty left to accomplish,” Bacharach said.
The tripleheader opened up with a game against Bucknell University which the Rams won 17-7. They played a strong first half to end the second quarter with a score of 7-3. The team added 10 more goals in the second half to secure the win against the Bison.
The accuracy and precision of the Rams showcased against the Bison continued to shine during their second game of the afternoon against Mercyhurst University.
Goalkeeper Thomas Lercari, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’25, put on an impressive defensive display with 14 saves, two steals in goal and three assists.
On the offensive side of the game, Luca Provenziani, FCRH ’28, scored four goals with three assists and two steals. His dynamic play over the weekend landed him his third MAWPC “Rookie of the Week” title.
The accuracy and precision of the Rams showcased against the Bison continued to shine during their second game of the afternoon against Mercyhurst University. The Rams scored 9 goals in the first quarter and rode that momentum to a 26-4 defeat over the Lakers.
Before the last game of the night, the Rams celebrated their eight graduating senior athletes, Lercari and Lucas Nieto Jasny, FCRH ’25, as well as George Papanikolaou, Gabriel Melillo, Luca Silvestri, Paul Armingol, Mark Katsev and Jacopo Parrella, all Gabelli School of Business at Rose Hill ’25.
“Of course there was a lot of sadness because I know that my life will change at the end of this year and I will be missing Fordham water polo a lot.” Luca Silvestri, GSBRH ’25
The team and the friends and family of the senior athletes honored them with senior presentations. Silvestri, co-captain of the team, said there were mixed emotions about the seniors playing in the last home game of their Fordham water polo careers.
“Of course there was a lot of sadness because I know that my life will change at the end of this year and I will be missing Fordham water polo a lot,” Silvestri said. Honestly speaking, I had to hold back a few tears during the senior presentation before the last game”
The expertise of the senior class led the Rams to their final win of their regular season: a 28-8 win over Mount St. Mary’s College. Six of the seniors found the back of the net in this game alone; Parrella with a stellar five goals, Silvestri with four, Nieto Jasny with three, Papanikolaou with two, Katsev and Armingol with one each.
“I don’t think there’s a group of seniors that has accomplished more in the program’s history, and the program’s been around for a very long time.” Brian Bacharach, head coach
Over the weekend, the talent of the senior athletes was on full display as every single senior except for goalkeeper Lercari — who had a dominant series in his own right —- connected the ball with the back of the net.
The final games of the Rams’ season reflected the impressive winning streak the team have been on all year and the growth the program has seen since this year’s seniors became Rams. Bacharach said that these graduating seniors have come a long way since their first games.
“I don’t think there’s a group of seniors that has accomplished more in the program’s history, and the program’s been around for a very long time. So it’s about the highest praise you can give to a group of guys in terms of what they’ve accomplished,” Bacharach said. “And so, this group in particular, we’re going to be sad to see them leave, but are excited to see what they go and accomplish in the world.”
“Obviously, the job is not finished, and we are working hard to keep our win streak going as long as possible. I know that the guys and myself are looking forward to an exciting postseason.” Thomas Lercari, FCRH ’25
Silvestri, who joined the team in 2022, has seen the team grow to the water polo powerhouse it is today.
“Fordham developed a winning mentality, and I am sure that it will be increasing even more during the years. The work that has been done by our coaches is amazing, not only inside the pool, but even outside,” Silvestri said.
The team’s dominant sweep on Nov. 9 also secured them the number one seed heading into the MAWPC Championships on Nov. 22 through Nov. 24 in Annapolis, Maryland. Lercari said the Rams are ready to take on everything the postseason has to offer.
“Obviously, the job is not finished, and we are working hard to keep our win streak going as long as possible. I know that the guys and myself are looking forward to an exciting postseason,” Lercari said.
Heading into the postseason, the Rams sit at third in the Collegiate Water Polo Association weekly poll. The Rams are behind the University of California, Los Angeles, ranked first, and Stanford University, ranked second, which makes them the only non-California team ranked in the top 10 universities.
The postseason consists of two parts for the team. First, they will play in the MAWPC Championships at the United States Naval Academy Nov. 22-24. The Rams are heavy favorites to win the conference for the fourth year in a row. Despite the team’s good odds, Parrella emphasized that they are not going to take their foot off the gas.
“The fun part has just started. I think it’s a big accomplishment what we have done so far, but we make sure the team stays focused and doesn’t let this positive environment relax us,” Parrella said.
After the MAWPC Championship, the Rams hope to travel to California once again to compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament at Stanford University.
The Rams have had a tough time at the NCAA tournament in the past years, as they are 0-3. However, Papanikolaou highlighted the hard work the team has put into changing their odds in California.
“We’re all looking forward to the opportunity to prove everyone wrong in the NCAAs on the West Coast,” he said.
The Rams got some extra playing time in last weekend during their two exhibition games against Connecticut College on Nov. 15 and Brown University on Nov. 16. Though the games did not count to their season record, the Rams continued their winning streak at both games.
The next game on the Rams schedule is the team’s first game of the MAWPC Championship. Hoping to continue their undefeated season, the Rams will face Mercyhurst University for the third time this year in the opening game of the championship on Nov. 22.
