College Sports Navy Midshipmen

Kiefer Black Breaks Navy Water Polo Career Goals Record as No. 17 Midshipmen Sweep Senior Day Doubleheader

By Brian Hradsky November 10, 2026

Kiefer Black Breaks Navy Water Polo Career Goals Record as No. 17 Midshipmen Sweep Senior Day Doubleheader

By Brian Hradsky
Maryland Sports Blog | November 10, 2026

Final Scores: No. 17 Navy 18, Mount St. Mary’s 5 | No. 17 Navy 22, Wagner 10

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The No. 17 Navy men’s water polo team celebrated a historic Senior Day on Saturday, November 7, as senior Kiefer Black became the program’s all-time leading goal scorer during a dominant doubleheader sweep at Lejeune Hall. Navy defeated Mount St. Mary’s 18-5 before overwhelming Wagner 22-10 in the evening contest. The victories improved the Midshipmen to 20-5 overall and 9-2 in the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC). Navy also secured the No. 2 seed in the upcoming conference tournament.

Kiefer Black Makes Navy Water Polo History

Black entered the weekend with 279 career goals, needing four to surpass the previous school record of 282 held by current Navy head coach Luis Nicolao. The senior from San Diego scored twice against Mount St. Mary’s before adding three goals against Wagner. His second goal against Wagner established a new program record, and his third pushed his career total to 284. Black accomplished the milestone in his final home appearance, surrounded by teammates, coaches and family members.

The achievement adds another chapter to one of the most productive individual careers in Navy water polo history. Black already held the program records for career points and assists, becoming the first Midshipman to surpass 500 career points and 200 assists. His latest accomplishment gives him Navy’s career records in all three major offensive categories. It also carries additional significance because he surpassed the scoring mark established by the coach who helped guide his collegiate career.

Nicolao praised Black and the entire senior class following the doubleheader, emphasizing the contributions they have made to Navy’s success. The coach also expressed satisfaction that his longtime scoring record fell during such a meaningful occasion. Navy’s six graduating seniors have helped the program achieve four consecutive 20-win seasons. Their contributions have positioned the Midshipmen to compete for a conference championship.

Navy Dominates Mount St. Mary’s in Opening Game

Navy opened the doubleheader with an impressive 18-5 victory over Mount St. Mary’s, overcoming a competitive opening stretch before taking complete control. The Mountaineers briefly led 2-1 in the first quarter, but Navy responded with four consecutive goals to establish a 5-2 advantage. Connor Cashman scored twice during that surge, while Billy Zech and Black also contributed goals. The Midshipmen carried that momentum into the second quarter and steadily increased their advantage.

Mount St. Mary’s narrowed the deficit to 6-4, but junior Quinn Bartlett responded with three consecutive goals to close the first half. His scoring burst gave Navy a commanding 9-4 halftime lead and effectively ended the Mountaineers’ comeback attempt. Bartlett continued his outstanding performance in the third quarter, finishing with five goals in the contest. His offensive production helped Navy maintain control throughout the second half.

Navy’s defense proved equally impressive, allowing only one goal after halftime and shutting out Mount St. Mary’s in the fourth quarter. The Midshipmen scored the final nine goals of the game, demonstrating their offensive depth and defensive discipline. Contributions from multiple players turned what had initially been a competitive matchup into a convincing 13-goal victory. The result provided an ideal opening to Navy’s Senior Day celebration.

Jack Rodoni Delivers Historic Goalkeeping Performance

Junior goalkeeper Jack Rodoni delivered one of the finest individual performances in Navy water polo history during the opening victory. Rodoni recorded a career-high 20 saves while limiting Mount St. Mary’s to just five goals. His performance tied the second-highest single-game save total in program history. Only Caden Capobianco’s school-record 23-save performance against George Washington in 2021 stands higher.

Rodoni’s 20 saves matched the previous performances of Kevin Crisson, George Naughton and current teammate Ryan Munch. His outstanding work in goal provided Navy with the defensive stability needed to withstand Mount St. Mary’s early pressure. The performance also highlighted the Midshipmen’s strength at goalkeeper as they prepare for postseason competition. Having multiple capable goalkeepers could prove especially valuable during the demanding conference tournament.

Navy Overwhelms Wagner in Senior Day Nightcap

The Midshipmen carried their momentum into the evening matchup, defeating Wagner 22-10 in front of the Senior Day crowd. Navy immediately established control with three unanswered goals from Declan Bartlett, Colin McPhail and Cashman. Luka Sekulic and Maximus Arnold also scored during the opening quarter, helping Navy establish a 5-2 advantage. The early offensive success set the stage for another decisive victory.

Navy’s offense became even more dangerous during the second quarter as the Midshipmen expanded their lead to 11-4 by halftime. Cashman and Jack Reif contributed important goals before Black delivered the defining moment of the evening. Black scored twice late in the half, with his second goal breaking Nicolao’s career scoring record. The historic accomplishment gave the home crowd another reason to celebrate an already memorable Senior Day.

The Midshipmen continued their offensive dominance in the third quarter, scoring five consecutive goals to extend their lead to 16-4. Aiden Berry, Declan Bartlett, Reif, Arnold and Jack Pointner each contributed during the scoring run. Wagner attempted to mount a late comeback with three consecutive goals early in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 16-8. Navy quickly answered with another offensive surge to secure the 22-10 victory.

Navy’s Offensive Depth Shines

Seventeen different Navy players combined to score 40 goals during the doubleheader, demonstrating the team’s exceptional offensive balance. Quinn Bartlett led the Midshipmen with six goals, including five against Mount St. Mary’s. Black and Zech each finished with five goals across the two contests, while Cashman and Reif contributed four apiece. The widespread production illustrated why Navy has remained among the nation’s nationally ranked programs.

Bartlett also reached an important individual milestone, surpassing 200 career points during Saturday’s competition. He became the 23rd player in Navy program history to achieve that mark. Maximus Arnold, Declan Bartlett, Ryan Mondzelewski and Jack Pointner each scored twice during the doubleheader. Several additional Midshipmen contributed goals as Navy repeatedly demonstrated its ability to generate offense throughout the lineup.

The Midshipmen also received solid goalkeeping contributions during the Wagner victory. Ryan Munch recorded seven saves while playing more than three quarters, and senior Francis Hendrickson added two saves in his final home appearance. Their performances complemented Rodoni’s historic outing earlier in the day. Navy’s combination of offensive versatility and goalkeeping depth gives the team several advantages entering postseason play.

Six Seniors Honored for Their Contributions

Before the evening contest, Navy recognized six seniors who have helped establish the program as a consistent contender. Kiefer Black, Connor Cashman, Aiden Day, Francis Hendrickson, Luka Sekulic and Billy Zech received recognition for their contributions to the Midshipmen. The ceremony celebrated their accomplishments in the pool and their commitment to the Naval Academy. Their leadership has helped Navy maintain a high standard of competition throughout their collegiate careers.

The graduating class has been part of four consecutive seasons featuring at least 20 victories. That sustained success reflects the program’s consistency and the important role its veteran players have filled. Black’s historic scoring achievement provided the most prominent individual moment, but the doubleheader also demonstrated the contributions of his fellow seniors. Each player helped create a memorable conclusion to Navy’s home schedule.

Midshipmen Secure No. 2 Conference Tournament Seed

Saturday’s victories carried major postseason implications beyond the individual records and Senior Day festivities. Navy clinched the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference Tournament, strengthening its position for the championship competition. The Midshipmen improved to 9-2 in conference play with their victories over Mount St. Mary’s and Wagner. Their 20-5 overall record reflected another successful regular-season campaign.

Navy entered the final weekend following victories over Mercyhurst and Bucknell, including a 13-10 comeback win against the Bison. The Midshipmen’s late-season momentum has been fueled by balanced scoring, improved defensive performances and the leadership of their experienced players. With the conference tournament approaching, maintaining that consistency will be critical. The doubleheader sweep demonstrated that Navy can win comfortably while receiving contributions from throughout its roster.

The Midshipmen were scheduled to conclude their regular season against George Washington on Sunday, November 8, in Arlington, Virginia. After the regular-season finale, Navy’s attention would shift toward the conference championship tournament in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The program will enter postseason competition with considerable experience and a proven ability to produce explosive offensive performances. Its ultimate objective remains winning the conference championship and extending its season.

Maryland Sports Blog Take

Navy’s Senior Day doubleheader represented far more than two victories against conference opponents. Kiefer Black’s record-breaking performance established him as one of the most accomplished offensive players in program history, while Jack Rodoni’s 20-save outing provided another historic individual achievement. The Midshipmen also demonstrated remarkable scoring depth, producing 40 goals across two contests. Those accomplishments made Saturday one of the most memorable days of Navy’s 2026 season.

Black’s achievement deserves particular recognition because he surpassed the career goals record held by his own head coach. Breaking a longstanding school record is impressive under any circumstances, but accomplishing it during Senior Day makes the moment especially meaningful. His career records in goals, assists and points reflect both his scoring ability and his willingness to create opportunities for teammates. His place in Navy water polo history is firmly established.

The most encouraging development for Navy, however, might be the team’s overall balance heading into the postseason. Seventeen different players scored during Saturday’s doubleheader, and the Midshipmen received strong performances from multiple goalkeepers. That depth should help Navy handle the challenges of tournament competition, where opponents can focus defensive attention on individual stars. If the Midshipmen maintain their current offensive production and defensive intensity, they have a strong foundation for a championship run.

Sources and Further Reading

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