PRINCETON, N.J. Saint Mary’s College of California’s men’s water polo team secured a 19-11 victory over Wagner at the Princeton Invitational on September 12, 2026. Graduate transfer Mason Black led the Gaels with six goals, the most by a player in a game since Hugo Riley scored seven goals.
The Gaels quickly established control, with Noah Bigara scoring within the first two minutes. Italian players Domenico Barille0 and Rocco Di Rosa extended the lead to 6-2 after the first quarter. Black contributed two goals by halftime, pushing the score to 9-3, and added three more in the third quarter to finish with six goals.
Andrew Donlin scored a hat trick, becoming the first Gael this season to reach double-digit goals and assists. Nine different Gaels found the net against Wagner, marking the highest number of distinct scorers in a single game this season. Freshmen Stryder Stelck and Alessandro Fumo each scored their first collegiate goals.
Later the same day, Saint Mary’s defeated Mount St. Mary’s 16-6, improving to 2-1 at the Princeton Invitational and 5-5 overall for the season. Leo Hachem led the scoring against Mount St. Mary’s with four goals, bringing his season total to 23, the team’s highest in 2026. The Gaels’ 10-goal margin was their largest since a 26-9 win over Mercyhurst earlier in the season.
CSB Take
Mason Black’s six-goal performance underlines the offensive strength of Saint Mary’s Gaels men’s water polo team, whose balance of veteran leadership and emerging talent was evident in both wins. The broad contribution from nine different scorers and the first collegiate goals by freshmen show depth that could sustain the Gaels through a demanding season. With back-to-back wins improving their tournament record, maintaining this balanced scoring approach will be crucial in upcoming challenges.
Source: Original report
