Episcopal Academy captures boys water polo title with win over Haverford School, finishes season 23-3

The Episcopal Academy boys’ water polo team defeated host Haverford School, 16-3, on Saturday and won the Inter-Ac League championship with a perfect 8-0 league record.

It was a super season for EA. which also won the Eastern Prep School championship two weeks ago at Lawrenceville School and ended the year on a roll, with 12 straight wins against tough competition from several states. In the win over Haverford, junior Kyle Leidheiser led the scoring with four goals and seniors Charlie McGregor and Jimmy McEntee had three goals apiece. Goalie Anders Lindgren had another stellar game in the nets with outstanding saves and release passes. Ricky McEntee had an outstanding game with two goals, three assists, and four steals.

"We are very pleased to win the Inter-Ac title," said first-year EA coach Damon Newman. "We also won Eastern Preps for the first time since 2002 and we placed 6th out of 50 schools at the Beast of the East Tournament earlier this year.

"Our success was achieved through a balanced offensive attack and a pressure defense that was relentless. We believed in one another and the players bought into a style of water polo that made us successful this year."

Overall, the EA team finished 23-3 this season and went 8-0 in the Inter-Ac. The Churchmen averaged almost 13 goals a game, while giving up just 8 per game. Goalie Anders Lindgren was a wall behind top defenders such as senior Brad Hahn, Jack Forgash, and Michael Niu. The team's overall scoring was led by Spanish exchange student Alberto Munarriz, McGregor, Leidheiser and the McEntee twins, seniors Jimmy and Ricky.

"I'm very proud of the individual members' hard work, their attention to detail and their focus throughout the season," said Coach Newman. "It was truly a great year."

Photos courtesy of Ken Leidheiser

Spirited EA fans crowd the poolside area at Haverford School on Saturday, rooting on their team to the Inter-Ac championship. Overall, EA and Haverford School split the sports contests 2-2 during EA/HS Day. EA won the cross country and water polo events, and HS took the soccer and football games in the afternoon.

Goalie Anders (The Wall) Lindgren (left) was a stellar netminder for the EA team this year, and he played a strong game in the 16-3 win over Haverford last Saturday.