Men's Water Polo
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.
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.”
Ta-Da
Pictured above in September, Sophomore Alex Tsotadze helped lead the offensive attack against Princeton, netting two goals in the victory.
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.
Perfect Once More?
The Crimson will face No. 13 Bucknell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Undefeated Men’s Water Polo Secures NWPC Championship, Berth in NCAA Tournament
Now it is the first team to go undefeated in the Northeast Water Polo Conference regular season and tournament, with a historic 29-0 record.
Men's Water Polo Continues Perfect Season
After its most recent victories, Harvard’s win streak currently stands at 22. As it tries to extend that this season, the team will stay alert and try to avoid complacency.
No. 12 Men’s Water Polo Sets Win-Streak Record
With results coming in like a broken record, it was only a matter of time before the Crimson started breaking records, and the squad did just that on Sunday, setting a new program mark for consecutive victories.
No. 12 Men’s Water Polo Stays Undefeated at Bucknell Invite
Harvard carried its momentum from last week’s Princeton Invite into this weekend’s slate of dominance. The squad’s current win streak of nine games is one shy of the longest streak in college history.
No. 9 Men’s Water Polo Has Big Weekend at Princeton Invite
No. 12 Harvard men’s water polo (5-0, 0-0 NWPC) took home three wins this weekend in Princeton, N.J., at the annual Princeton Invite.
Winding Up
Junior attacker Dennis Blyashov winds up for a shot. The second contest of the weekend took place at eight o’clock in the morning, but the Crimson attack appeared unfazed by the early start time. Blyashov and sophomore attacker Alex Tsotadze both tallied four goals, and sophomore attacker Michael Sonsini poured in a pair while Hodge had two assists.
The Splash Zone
Sophomore goalie Noah Hodge defends a shot from close range. Harvard’s defense held strong in the close victory against UC San Diego, and Hodge, who was named NWPC Defensive Player of the Week last week, recorded an assist to go along with ten saves against the Tritons.
Chasing Championships: Men's Water Polo vs. Princeton, Heartbreak of the Year
So it was all the more heartbreaking when, after skirting past Brown, 11-10, Harvard fell to Princeton in the NEWPC championship, 12-10.
Nine of 10
In the middle stretch of the season, the Crimson went on a hot streak and won nine out of ten games.