MWP | Gaels Take Down Air Force 16-10, Pick Up First WCC Victory In Program History

Friday, October 16

Moraga, CA

6:30 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

Air Force

Box Score Highlights

MWP | Gaels Take Down Air Force 16-10, Pick Up First WCC Victory In Program History

10/16/2026 9:36:00 PM | Men's Water Polo

MWP | Saint Mary's vs. Air Force Highlights, 10-16-26

MORAGA, Calif. - Saint Mary's men's water polo made history Friday night, knocking off the Air Force Falcons 16-10 in a packed Soda Aquatic Center to pick up its first West Coast Conference win in program history. The Gaels were led by two outstanding performances from Italian freshmen Domenico Barillà and Federico Castrucci, as Barillà logged a career-high four assists while Castrucci recorded a career-best eight steals to give the Gaels the historic victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The free-flowing offenses of both teams were on display early, with the Gaels scoring six goals in the first quarter thanks to an opening frame hat trick from attacker Ethan Klerck, who quickly shattered his career-high two-goals-in-a-match mark in just under seven minutes of play. Domenico Barillà recorded a first-quarter brace to give the Gaels an early three-goal lead, while junior Andrew Donlin also found the back of the net for the sixth time this season.

Three different goalscorers found the back of the cage in the second quarter, as freshman Rocco Di Rosa got the party started before goals from junior Noah Bigara and freshman Alessandro Fumo gave the Gaels a five-goal lead at the half. Gaels' goal-scoring leader Leo Hachem scored to open the second half, while Hamish Ellison kept the scoring going while leading the Gaels with a team-high five shots in the match. Bigara and Fumo each secured a brace, with Fumo's brace marking the first time that the Italian international has scored multiple goals in a match this season.

Hachem then began the fourth quarter with a goal, securing his ninth brace of the season and a team high 32nd goal of the year. Freshman Harry Irwin got on the scoresheet for the ninth time this season, while Hamish Ellison scored to secure his second straight brace for the Gaels. Goalkeeper Federico Castrucci was outstanding once again, recording five saves for the fourth straight match while racking up a career-high eight steals to secure a defining win for this Saint Mary's program.

GAME NOTES

Domenico Barilla recorded a career-high four assists in the match while recording his third career brace for the Gaels.
Federico Castrucci recorded five saves in a match for the eighth time this season, bringing his season total to 74 saves, now sixth in the West Coast Conference.
Castrucci's eight steals in the match were a career high, and bring his season total to 22 steals, now fifth in the West Coast Conference.
Ethank Klerck led the way with three goals in a match for the first time this season, while five different Gaels recorded a brace in the match.
Three different Gaels had three drawn exclusions in the match, Mason Black, Harry Irwin, and Noah Bigara, with Bigara recording his team-high 46th drawn exclusion.
The Gaels recorded their first-ever win in the West Coast Conference tonight, and are now in search of their first-ever win against a ranked opponent.

QUOTABLE

LOOKING AHEAD

Saint Mary's men's water polo returns to action tomorrow at 1 p.m. versus the No. 11 Pacific Tigers in Moraga. The match can be streamed live on ESPN+, with tickets available for purchase HERE.

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