MIT Water Polo Splits Final Day of 2026 Bruno Invitational
The Division III No. 9-ranked Massachusetts Institute of Technology water polo team dropped a 16-8 decision to Concordia University-Irvine and bounced back to defeat Connecticut College 18-13 on the final day of the 2026 Bruno Invitational hosted by Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
Concordia-Irvine Pulls Away in Second Half Against MIT
The opening match of the day against Concordia University-Irvine began with competitive pacing as Andras Beleznay put the Engineers on the board first with a 1-0 lead. The Golden Eagles responded swiftly with three unanswered goals before Derek Schaffer broke the run, leaving MIT trailing 3-2 at the end of the first period.
Concordia extended its margin to 5-2 early in the second quarter. MIT clawed back when Beleznay converted a six-on-five opportunity and Kunal Rajadhyax scored on a counter-attack, narrowing the deficit to 5-4 with 4:18 remaining in the half. Caleb Luby restored a two-goal cushion for the Golden Eagles before intermission.
The game slipped away from the Engineers in the third quarter. Following an opening goal by Beleznay that trimmed the lead back to one, Concordia mounted a decisive 5-0 offensive surge to command an 11-5 advantage heading into the final frame. Jake Schweizer halted a six-goal opponent streak at 5:40 in the fourth quarter, but Concordia countered with four more scores to pull ahead 16-6. Rajadhyax and Schweizer added late tallies for MIT, while Beleznay secured a hat trick to lead the team’s scoring against the Golden Eagles.
Engineers Outpace Connecticut College in High-Scoring Finale
MIT rebounded in the afternoon session against Connecticut College, securing an 18-13 victory behind nine different goalscorers. Luca Morocco and Kieran Kearns opened the scoring for the Engineers before the Camels answered with two quick goals to level the match. MIT traded goals to close out the first quarter with a narrow 4-3 edge.
A dominant 5-0 run to start the second period—highlighted by two goals from Beleznay—pushed the MIT lead to 9-3. Although Connecticut responded with two tallies, William Ewald netted a goal with just 13 seconds left in the half, sending the Engineers into the locker room ahead 11-5.
MIT maintained offensive pressure through the third quarter, outscoring the Camels 5-3 to build an eight-goal advantage entering the final eight minutes of regulation. Despite Connecticut outscoring MIT 5-2 in the fourth quarter, the early lead proved insurmountable. Ewald, Kearns, and Beleznay each recorded hat tricks to pace the offense. Jackson Kay, Schweizer, and Armeet Gill added two goals apiece, while Charlie Baker, Rajadhyax, and David Ranaudo contributed solo strikes to close out the tournament.