Fordham Water Polo Edges Long Beach State in Overtime

In a closely contested match, the fourth-ranked Fordham University water polo team secured a narrow overtime victory against sixth-ranked Long Beach State, winning 14-10 at the Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center in Long Beach, California. The triumph marked an improvement to Fordham’s season record, now standing at 10-1, while Long Beach State fell to 9-4.

Game Highlights

The match showcased the importance of defense, with Fordham allowing only one goal in the fourth quarter and none during the overtime period. Long Beach State managed to equalize the match at ten with 3:24 remaining in regular play, which turned out to be their last scoring opportunity.

As the first overtime began, both teams remained scoreless for the initial two minutes. The breakthrough for Fordham came from a turnover by Long Beach State, with Mark Dyck assisting Kojic, who found the net with less than a minute remaining in the first overtime session.

In the second overtime, Kojic struck again, this time assisted by Alessandro Salipante. Later, Fordham’s goalie Victor Savic added to the lead with a goal as the clock ticked down to 39 seconds left. Andrea Toth capped off the scoring for the Rams with his fourth goal, sealing the win with 17 seconds remaining.

Toth was a standout player for Fordham, recording four goals and two assists, while Kojic contributed significantly with two goals and four assists. Karlo Dragosevic also played a vital role, scoring three goals in the match. Savic’s performance in goal was commendable, finishing with eleven saves.

Both teams converted three of eight opportunities on the power play. This matchup extended the history between the teams, marking the second consecutive year they have faced off in overtime, with Fordham also winning last year’s encounter 16-15 in sudden victory. The Rams now lead the all-time series against Long Beach State 3-1.

Upcoming Matches

Fordham is set to conclude its California trip with a match against 15th-ranked Cal Baptist on Monday, September 28, at 2:00 p.m. (EST).

Why It Matters

This victory not only bolsters Fordham’s positioning as a strong contender this season but also reflects the team’s resilience in high-pressure situations, particularly in overtime scenarios. The outcome may have implications for their future rankings and confidence heading into subsequent matches.