On October 24, 2025, Fieldston’s water polo team finished an undefeated season, in which they secured both the Ivy League championship and the Horace Mann Invitational. Along the way, they demolished opponents, like Riverdale with a 24-4 Homecoming victory; squeaked out nail-biters, like their 12-10 win against Trinity; and proved that a team that was unified out of the pool could dominate in it.
The team wasn’t just a group of talented players, but a tight-knit family. Captain Alex Sursock (Form VI) describes the season as “unifying,” noting that “our team was closer as friends than the seniors had ever experienced before.” That chemistry translated directly to performance. From goalie Bennett Solomon’s (Form V) opening game heroics against Horace Mann to Kevin Nam’s (Form VI) homecoming performance, the team’s bond was one of the Eagles’ greatest weapons.
If one game defined the season, it was the away match at Trinity, the game that would clinch the Ivy League title. The Eagles faced an unusual challenge: Trinity’s pool is very shallow, just four feet deep, a contrast to the much deeper pools at schools like Horace Mann or Riverdale. This shallow depth could easily result in a player accidentally standing up, which constitutes a foul. “Initially, we struggled to adjust,” Sursock recalls. “At one point, it even looked like we might lose.” But when it mattered most, the Eagles’ stars elevated their play. “At the end of the game, it all came down to which team wanted the win more,” says Willem Ortiz-Mena (Form V). “We were able to adapt and come out with a win.” Final score: 12-10. The banner was theirs.
The roster proved remarkably balanced, with standout contributions coming from unexpected places. Freshman Sol Molloy-Chimilio started the season injured but returned midyear to become a key player. “Despite his age, he became a leader, both in the pool and in the locker room,” Ortiz-Mena notes. Captain Diego Jacobs (Form VI) emerged as one of the team’s mental leaders, doing “a great job of making sure everyone was putting full effort into each and every game,” and earning Player of the Game honors twice, including in the championship-clinching Trinity victory. Behind the scenes, Coaches Lazar and Pam gave the team an important advantage. Coach Lazar’s motivational style became legendary, with the team joking after one victory, “thanks to Coach Lazar’s wise words, ‘use your brain! It’s so easy: just put the ball in the goal!’ We beat St. Benedict’s and remain undefeated!”
Homecoming provided the stage for the season finale against Riverdale. Having already secured the Ivy League championship, Fieldston could have coasted. Instead, they delivered their most dominant performance, winning 24-4. The Eagles finished with three historic achievements: an undefeated season, the Ivy League championship and the Horace Mann Invitational title. No Fieldston water polo team had accomplished all three before. “This year, the team was extremely solid and well-rounded, with everyone having their own role to play,” Ortiz-Mena reflects. “We were all willing to put in the work and build off of each other, which ultimately paid off.” The banner will hang in the varsity gym for years to come. But for the 2025 Water Polo Team, the real trophy was the journey that they took together.
