EMMITSBURG, Md. (October 7, 2023) – Playing twice at the ARCC Swimming Pool Saturday, Mount St. Mary's men's water polo fell twice against Wagner and in overtime with George Washington.
Alexandros Bellesis led the team in goals with 11, including seven in the nightcap with the Revolutionaries.
Chrysostomos Valavanis also picked up hat tricks in both games.
Joseph Maxson stepped into the cage to collect 20 saves and cross 300 for his career.
Mount St. Mary's fell behind 6-2 in the first game before making a move over the last five minutes of the half. Going on a 5-0 run, Bellesis led the way with three in a row, grabbing a 7-6 advantage with 1:47 left. Wagner was able to regain the lead after some Mount turnovers for an 8-7 halftime score.
Michael Lemishko registered a pair of third quarter scores to spark the home side, and Valavanis tied the game at 11-11 on a counter attack. But Wagner clamped down after that goal, polishing off five unanswered to earn the victory.
Later that night with George Washington in the pool, the Mountaineers jumped out to a 3-2 lead thanks to a late score from
Nicholas Wallace-Whitfield. The Revolutionaries countered with four in the second for a halftime edge, 6-5. Lemishko and Valavanis rallied to level in the third, and Bellesis helped the Mount go ahead. Neither team accumulated an advantage greater than two, with Bellesis once again forcing the tie with 1:19 to go. He earned one more in the extra frame, but George Washington finished with two, taking the contest.
Back in the pool next Friday (Oct. 13), the Mountaineers challenge Gannon in a non-conference game.
Wagner 16, Mount St. Mary's 11
Team 1 2 3 4
Mount St. Mary's 2 5 4 0
Wagner 5 3 5 3
Goals: Valavanis 4, Bellesis 4, Lemishko 2, Tarr 1
Saves: Maxson 4
George Washington 15, Mount St. Mary's 14 (OT)
Team 1 2 3 4 OT
Mount St. Mary's 3 2 4 4 1
George Washington 2 4 2 5 2
Goals: Bellesis 7, Valavanis 3, Wallace-Whitfield 1, Lemishko 1, Hess 1, Tarr 1
Saves: Maxson 16
