CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Caspar Lightner fell one goal shy of the program record, scoring nine goals in the match, as the MIT water polo team earned a thrilling double overtime victory over Iona on Senior Day at the Zesiger Center Pool.
Prior to the match, MIT recognized their senior class of Jackson Kay, Kunal Rajadhyax, Andras Beleznay, Kieran Kearns, Rick Lundh, Victor Perez, and William Ewald.
THE BASICS:
- Score: MIT 19, Iona 17 (2OT)
- Records: MIT (9-16 Overall, 3-7 NWPC), Iona (8-22 Overall, 1-9 NWPC)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- After the teams went back-and-fourth to open the match, a goal from Kay kick-started a 3-0 run for MIT to end the quarter with a goal from Lightner giving the Engineers a 6-4 lead after one.
- After Iona scored to open the second, Jake Schweizer and Lightner went back-to-back to give the home team an 8-5 lead. Iona cut the lead to one, but Lightner converted on a penalty shot with 47 seconds left to put MIT back up two. A 6 on 5 goal from Christian Couch with 18 seconds left made it a one goal match after 16 minutes of play.
- The Gales scored three of the first four goals in the third with a score from Brett Grady giving them their first lead of the day at 2:30. MIT responded with two more goals from Lightner and a score from Lundh to build a 13-11 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
- Ryan Tannus got Iona back within one with his goal at 7:16. Beleznay and Lightner sandwiched another Gale score that made it a 15-13 Engineer lead. Iona then closed the quarter on a 3-1 run with a goal from Pavle Musikic tying the match with 16 seconds left to send the teams to overtime.
- MIT hit the post four times to open the first overtime period and Tannus gave the Gales the lead with a 6 on 5 goal with 33 seconds left. Beleznay scored just over 15 seconds later to tie the match heading into the second overtime period.
- Lightner scored his ninth and what proved to be the game winner with 2:17 left in the second OT and Lundh added an insurance goal with 46 seconds left the seal the win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Lightner scored the second most goals in a single game in program history with nine. Beleznay topped his career high in goals, scoring six in the match.
- Kearns tied his career high with six assists. Lightner and Derek Schaffer each had two.
- Schweizer led the way with three steals.
- Joshua Woren made 10 saves in goal.
UP NEXT:
- MIT will open postseason play at the NWPC Tournament on Friday, November 20 at Harvard. Seeds and game times will be announced later in the week.
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