CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Connecticut College men's water polo team opened up play at the 2023 Northeast Water Polo Conference Championships, falling to second-seeded Harvard 18-1 on Friday from Blodgett Pool in Cambridge, Mass. With the loss, Conn falls to 2-20 on the year, while Harvard improves to 24-3.

Harvard (24-3) started quickly, jumping out to an early lead. The Crimson continued their strong play, extending the lead to 6-0 at the end of the first quarter. After an early goal for Harvard, Conn (2-20) had their best chance to get on the board, but Cormac Stevens' (Philadelphia, Pa.) effort rang off the post. Harvard tallied the final five goals of the half, to lead 12-0 at the break.

The Camels started quickly in the second half, generating a good look at goal, but Grant Archer (Miami, Fla.) had his shot stopped. After Harvard tallied two straight goals Conn finally got on the board as Jesse Ellis (Fresno, Calif.) converted on a two-meter shot. Neither team scored in the remainder of the quarter, as Harvard led 14-1 heading to the fourth. The Crimson recorded the final four goals of the contest to come away with the 18-1 victory.

Ellis tallied the only goal for Conn, while Sebastian Parilov (Brooklyn, N.Y.) played the first three quarters in goal, with Isaac Merwin (Houston, Texas) playing the final quarter.

Conn continues play at the NWPC Championships tomorrow, taking on MIT at 10 a.m. in Cambridge, Mass.