PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Long Island University men's water polo team concluded the 2025 season on Saturday afternoon, defeating Iona University 16-15 in the fifth-place game of the Northeast Water Polo Conference Tournament.  

"I'm so thrilled to end the season with a hard-earned win over Iona," head coach Morgan Allison said. "With 11 freshmen, we've had an extremely young team this year, and it's truly been a season of growth. Seeing the team's hard work come to fruition has been incredibly rewarding." 

The Sharks took a 1-0 lead in the game on a goal by freshman Mark Malamud, the first of three first-quarter goals for the Brooklyn native. LIU took a 7-5 lead over the Gaels into halftime. 

LIU and Iona traded goals throughout the second half, but thanks to four fourth-quarter goals by sophomore Jack French, the Sharks capped off their season with a 16-15 win over the Gaels.  

French led all players with seven goals on Saturday, followed by six from Malamud. Freshman Edward Carpenter, senior Derek Hanel, freshman Francisco de Zengotita Rodriguez, and freshman Dylan Rothenberg all scored a goal in the win.  

With Saturday's win, the Sharks recorded their highest finish at the NWPC Tournament in the program's four-season history. 

Earlier last week, French and graduate student Manuel Diez Teran both received NWPC All-Conference honorable mention recognition. 

"This is the highest the team has ever finished in the conference, and I couldn't be prouder," Allison said. "We're excited to carry this momentum and mentality into next year, and I look forward to all the amazing accomplishments we'll achieve in the years to come."