Columbus Leonard Named CWPA Defensive Player of the Week

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Coming off a weekend sweep that saw the MIT water polo team improve to 2-0 in league play, junior goalkeeper Columbus Leonard has been named the Northern Division Defensive Player of the Week by the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA). Leonard helped anchor the MIT defense in a pair of wins over Fordham University, 13-10, and Iona College, 11-8.

After falling behind early against Iona, Leonard played a key role in the Tech comeback, allowing just one goal in the fourth quarter, as the Engineers rattled off five unanswered markers in the frame to secure the win. Leonard finished the game with nine saves. He also stopped 13 shots in the win over Fordham on Saturday night.

Leonard has a 7.2 goals against average while making 70 saves in seven games in net this season. The junior is also closing in on the program record for career saves, totaling 494 through his first three seasons. He needs just eight more to become the Institute's all-time leader.

Leonard and the Engineers will return to action this weekend, hosting Brown University on Friday, October 1 at 8:00 p.m. before traveling across town to take on rival Harvard University on Saturday afternoon.