PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Long Island University men's water polo team (3-1, 0-0 NWPC) opened its season with three wins at the Bruno Classic this weekend, marking the best start to a season in program history. 

"I am incredibly proud of the guys for coming out of this weekend with a 3-1 record, the best start in program history," LIU men's water polo head coach Morgan Allison said. "They are a great group of guys both in and out of the pool, and it has been exciting to see their hard work throughout preseason translate into success. Our win against Wagner was the first in program history, as well as the first season-opening win in program history, which makes this weekend even more special. I am looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish as we continue to build team chemistry and work toward the exciting goals we have set for the season.

Game 1: LIU 16, Wagner 15 (2OT) 

LIU claimed its first win of the 2026 season in dramatic fashion, taking down Wagner College 16-15 in double overtime, claiming both the program's first win in a season-opener and its first against the Seahawks. The Sharks held a 10-6 advantage over Wagner in the first half, aided by three first-half goals by freshman Sebastiano Figari, though a fourth-quarter Seahawk surge tied the at 13 at the end of regulation.  

Wagner claimed a 14-13 lead midway through the first overtime period, though sophomore Dylan Rothenberg responded to the game at 14. With LIU on the power play, a goal by junior Jack French put LIU ahead 16-15, giving the Sharks a season-opening win. 

French led LIU with five goals, while Figari and Rothenberg netted a hat trick in the win. Junior Thomaz Figueiredo and sophomore Mark Malamud each scored a pair of goals, while sophomore Francisco de Zengotita Rodriguez tacked on an additional goal. 

Game 2: LIU 14, Gannon 13 

Following the win over Wagner, LIU continued its winning ways in a 14-13 win over Gannon University, led by a career-high five goals scored by Rothenberg. French netted a hat trick in the win, while Figari tallied on a pair of goals. Junior Csanad Varga, de Zengotita Rodriguez, sophomore Mark Malamud, and freshman Oliver Knoflick each scored once in the win. 

Game 3: LIU 19, Connecticut College 7 

The Sharks grabbed an early 4-0 lead over Connecticut College on Sunday morning, riding out that momentum to a 19-7 win over the Camels. Figari led the way with four goals, followed by three from French and two by sophomore Lucas Ramirez, Varga, and Malamud. Figueiredo, sophomore Blake Duggan, Rothenberg, sophomore Maddex Thornton, and freshman Oliver Knoflick each scored one goal against the Camels. 

Game 4: Air Force 18, LIU 16 

In a back-and-forth contest between the Sharks and Falcons, Figari led the Sharks with seven goals, followed by three from French and two goals by Figueiredo. Ramirez, Rothenberg, Malamud, and Knoflick each scored a goal against Air Force. 

LIU returns to action on Sept. 5, taking on George Washington University and Chapman University at the Navy Open in Annapolis, Maryland.