No. 16 Navy Water Polo Sweeps Mercyhurst and Bucknell, Improves to 18-5 With Dominant Offense and Dramatic Comeback
By Brian Hradsky
Final Scores: No. 16 Navy 18, Mercyhurst 3 | No. 16 Navy 13, Bucknell 10
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The No. 16 Navy men’s water polo team delivered two impressive performances Sunday, Nov. 1, sweeping a Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference doubleheader at Lejeune Hall. The Midshipmen dominated Mercyhurst 18-3 in their opening contest before overcoming a three-goal second-half deficit to defeat Bucknell 13-10. The victories improved Navy’s overall record to 18-5 and its conference record to 7-2, strengthening the program’s position entering the final stretch of the regular season.
Navy showcased its offensive depth throughout the afternoon, receiving goals from 15 different players across the two contests. Ten Midshipmen scored multiple times, demonstrating the versatility that has helped Navy remain nationally ranked throughout the season. Senior standout Kiefer Black led the team with five goals, all coming against Bucknell, while Aiden Berry, James Mulvey and Jack Pointner each contributed three goals during the doubleheader. The combination of balanced scoring and timely defensive stops proved essential to Navy’s successful afternoon.
Navy Overwhelms Mercyhurst in 18-3 Victory
Navy wasted little time establishing control against Mercyhurst, which entered the matchup struggling through a difficult conference campaign. The Midshipmen opened the contest with five consecutive goals, immediately putting the Lakers under pressure. Pointner scored twice during the opening surge, helping Navy establish the offensive rhythm that would define the game. By the conclusion of the first quarter, Navy held a commanding 7-1 advantage.
The second quarter brought more of the same as Navy continued attacking from multiple positions. Berry, Pointner, JB Bergstedt, Tanner Lustig and Maximus Arnold each contributed a goal during another five-goal run. Mercyhurst managed one additional goal before halftime, but Navy entered the break leading 12-2. The Midshipmen’s ability to distribute scoring opportunities throughout the roster prevented Mercyhurst from concentrating its defensive attention on any single attacker.
Navy’s defense delivered its strongest stretch during the third quarter, completely shutting out the Lakers while the offense added five more goals. Hudson Parks, Berry, Declan Murphy, Austin Kahn and Lustig all found the net, extending the advantage to 17-2. The defensive effort illustrated Navy’s ability to maintain intensity even with a substantial lead. Mercyhurst struggled to generate meaningful offensive momentum against the Midshipmen’s organized defensive approach.
Bergstedt added Navy’s final goal during the fourth quarter before Mercyhurst scored once more to establish the 18-3 final. Navy’s 15-goal margin represented an emphatic performance against a conference opponent. More importantly, the comfortable victory allowed head coach Luis Nicolao to distribute playing time throughout his roster. That opportunity provided valuable competitive experience for players who typically receive fewer minutes in closely contested games.
Navy Erases Three-Goal Deficit Against Bucknell
The afternoon’s second matchup presented a considerably different challenge as Bucknell arrived determined to challenge the nationally ranked Midshipmen. Unlike Mercyhurst, the Bison immediately established offensive momentum, scoring the game’s first two goals. Black and Mulvey answered for Navy, tying the contest at two by the conclusion of the opening quarter. The back-and-forth beginning foreshadowed a much more competitive conference battle.
Bucknell regained control early in the second quarter, scoring twice to build a 4-2 advantage. Navy responded with goals from Billy Zech and Jack Reif, again pulling even at four. However, the Bison scored late in the period to take a 5-4 lead into halftime. Navy entered the break needing to improve its defensive execution and find more consistent scoring opportunities.
The situation became increasingly difficult during the third quarter when Bucknell extended its lead to 7-4. The Bison eventually maintained an 8-5 advantage midway through the period, placing Navy in danger of suffering a conference defeat. With momentum firmly favoring Bucknell, the Midshipmen needed a significant offensive response. Their answer became the defining sequence of the afternoon.
Black helped ignite Navy’s comeback with a critical goal, and Luka Sekulic converted a five-meter penalty opportunity to keep the pressure on Bucknell. Quinn Bartlett then scored twice in succession as the Midshipmen seized control of the contest. Mulvey completed a remarkable five-goal unanswered run, pushing Navy ahead 10-8. In a matter of minutes, the Midshipmen transformed a three-goal deficit into a two-goal advantage.
Navy carried that momentum into the fourth quarter as Mulvey and Black added consecutive goals. Their contributions extended the scoring run to seven unanswered goals and gave Navy a 12-8 lead. Bucknell eventually ended the drought, but Black answered again to help secure the 13-10 victory. His five-goal performance highlighted Navy’s offensive resilience and demonstrated why he remains one of the program’s most important players.
Kiefer Black Continues Remarkable Navy Career
Black’s performance against Bucknell provided another memorable chapter in an already historic career at the Naval Academy. Entering the doubleheader, the senior ranked second in Navy history with 274 career goals, trailing only Nicolao’s program record of 282. His five-goal outing against Bucknell increased his career total to 279, leaving him just three goals shy of tying the school record. The approaching milestone adds another compelling storyline to Navy’s remaining regular-season schedule.
Black had already established himself as the program’s all-time leader in career points and assists before Sunday’s competition. He entered the weekend with 520 career points and 246 assists, becoming the first Navy player to surpass both 500 points and 200 assists. Those accomplishments reflect his effectiveness as both a scorer and playmaker. His ability to produce in crucial moments was especially apparent during Navy’s comeback against Bucknell.
Luis Nicolao Approaches Historic Coaching Milestone
Navy’s successful doubleheader also brought Nicolao closer to a remarkable career achievement. The veteran coach entered the weekend with 994 combined collegiate victories from his years at Princeton and Navy. Sunday’s two victories raised that total to 996, putting him four wins away from the prestigious 1,000-victory milestone. Reaching that mark would further cement his place among the most accomplished coaches in collegiate water polo history.
Nicolao accumulated 844 victories during his tenure at Princeton, including 402 with the men’s program and 442 with the women’s program. He returned to his alma mater to lead Navy’s men’s water polo program, where he has continued building on his coaching legacy. His leadership has helped establish a nationally competitive Midshipmen team capable of defeating opponents through both offensive depth and late-game execution. With several contests remaining, the possibility of reaching 1,000 victories provides additional significance to Navy’s upcoming schedule.
Navy’s Conference Championship Aspirations
The victories over Mercyhurst and Bucknell carry considerable importance as Navy approaches postseason competition. At 7-2 in conference play following Sunday’s games, the Midshipmen remain firmly positioned among the conference’s competitive programs. Their ability to win two games in one day also demonstrates the conditioning and roster depth necessary for tournament competition. Those qualities could become especially valuable when Navy faces multiple opponents over a condensed postseason schedule.
The two victories showcased different characteristics of a successful championship contender. Against Mercyhurst, Navy controlled the game from the opening minutes and maintained its advantage through balanced scoring and disciplined defense. Against Bucknell, the Midshipmen displayed composure while facing adversity and produced their best offensive sequence when the situation demanded it. Developing both capabilities gives Navy multiple ways to win against conference opponents.
Navy previously defeated Bucknell 15-8 on Oct. 4, snapping the Bison’s six-game winning streak in that meeting. Sunday’s 13-10 comeback provided another victory over the same opponent, although the second matchup proved substantially more difficult. The contrasting performances illustrate how quickly conference competition can change from one meeting to another. Navy’s ability to adjust and respond remains an encouraging sign heading into November.
What’s Next for Navy Water Polo?
Navy will conclude its current homestand Saturday, Nov. 7, with two additional conference matchups at Lejeune Hall. The Midshipmen will face Mount St. Mary’s at 10 a.m. before returning to the pool against Wagner at 5 p.m. Both contests are scheduled to stream through the Navy Athletics YouTube channel. The doubleheader provides another opportunity for Navy to build momentum while pursuing a strong finish to the regular season.
The Midshipmen will then travel to Washington, D.C., for a matchup against George Washington on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. Navy previously defeated the Revolutionaries 19-15 on Oct. 23 behind an impressive offensive performance. The rematch presents another meaningful conference challenge as the Midshipmen continue preparing for postseason competition. With Black approaching the career goals record and Nicolao nearing 1,000 coaching victories, the upcoming contests could carry historic significance beyond the conference standings.
MSB Take: Navy Shows the Qualities of a Championship Contender
Sunday’s doubleheader demonstrated why Navy deserves recognition among the nation’s top water polo programs. Dominating Mercyhurst by 15 goals was impressive, but the comeback against Bucknell revealed even more about the team’s character. Navy could have allowed its three-goal deficit to become an insurmountable obstacle, especially after already playing one game earlier in the day. Instead, the Midshipmen responded with seven consecutive goals and completely changed the direction of the contest.
Black continues to establish himself as one of the greatest offensive players in Navy water polo history, and his approaching school record deserves significant attention. However, Navy’s success extends beyond its senior standout, with contributors throughout the roster capable of producing meaningful performances. Nicolao has assembled a team that can dominate weaker opponents while also battling through difficult conference matchups. If the Midshipmen maintain that balance, they have a strong opportunity to make a serious postseason run.
For Maryland sports fans, Navy’s water polo program offers another example of the competitive excellence found throughout the Naval Academy’s athletic department. The Midshipmen have built an impressive 18-5 record while competing against nationally ranked opponents and experienced conference rivals. Sunday’s victories strengthened that résumé and provided additional momentum entering November. Navy now has an opportunity to turn its successful regular season into a memorable championship pursuit.
