Rookie 2-meter Ben Zepfel, shown above in earlier action, paced the Harvard men’s water polo team with 13 goals in four games over the weekend. The Crimson won its first three games before falling in the finale to Bucknell.

The last time that Harvard men’s water polo team had a nine-game winning streak, Mitt Romney was running for governor of Massachusetts.

Fast forward 10 years and the Crimson once again posted nine straight wins.

Harvard traveled to Lewisburg, Pa., over the weekend to compete in the Bison Invitational against the Navy Academy B-team, Johns Hopkins, Toronto, and host Bucknell.

The Crimson improved to 12-6 over the weekend, winning its first three games before falling to Bucknell in a close 10-8 match on the final day of play.

Before Sunday’s match, the Bison were responsible for Harvard’s last loss, an 11-3 defeat more than two weeks ago.

Since then, Harvard has gone on a tear, outscoring opponents, 121-80, and posting a nine-game winning streak. Conversely, Bucknell struggled, dropping five straight games heading into the invitational. For the Crimson, the game was important for redemption purposes.

“We kind of wanted to come out and avenge the loss,” said junior goalie Jimmy Field. “They handled us pretty well at home, so we wanted to come out and give them a good challenge in their pool.”

But the team was unable to keep the streak alive.

“It’s been a great nine games,” Field said. “It was tough that we couldn’t get that tenth, but we still want to take it one game at a time.”

BUCKNELL 10, HARVARD 8

In the final game of the weekend, the Bison got off to a four-goal lead at the half after outscoring the Crimson 4-1 in the second period. This was the first time all weekend that Harvard had trailed at intermission.

Coming out of halftime, the Crimson pushed back and tied the game at 8-8 going into the fourth period. But Harvard was unable to complete the comeback as the Bison scored two more to end the game at 10-8.

“I think we’re happy with the way we’re playing right now, but we’re not satisfied,” coach Ted Minnis said. “We won 12 games so far this year and won 10 games last year, total, and it’s not even Oct. 1 yet. I think we all feel we can get better every game by working hard and playing more consistently as the season goes on.”

HARVARD 16, TORONTO 8

The Crimson started out strong and kept a steady lead throughout the game in a 16-8 defeat of the University of Toronto, outscoring the Blues in the first period, 5-0, and going up 10-3 at the half.

Sophomore John Holland-McCowan scored four goals, while sophomore Ryan Rule contributed three more and two assists. Freshmen Noah Harrison and Ben Zepfel and co-captain Max Eliot each scored two goals apiece.

Freshman Colin Woolway and Field split time in net, accruing six and five saves, respectively.

“[The goalies] have done a great job,” Minnis said. “When they’re splitting playing time they’re combining for double digit saves, which is all you could ask for. They’re making all the saves they’re supposed to make, and then making a few more.”

HARVARD 9, JOHNS HOPKINS 8

In the second match of the weekend, the Crimson fended off a late-game push from Johns Hopkins and scraped by with a one-goal lead to get its second win of the day.

Zepfel scored a hat trick and six other players contributed goals. Although Harvard led by two after the half, its lead was trimmed to one going into the fourth frame. Both teams scored twice and the Crimson was able to hang on for the win.

The defense was crucial in holding off the Blue Jays attack for much of the game. Harrison led the team with three steals and freshman Robbie Fluegge and junior co-captain William Roller added two each. Woolway played the entire match in net and posted eight saves.

HARVARD 15, NAVY B 11

In its weekend opener, Harvard went up against the Midshipmen B-team while the Navy A-team played a tournament in California.

After an even first quarter in which both teams posted four scores, the Crimson went into halftime with an 8-7 advantage.

Harvard separated itself from the Midshipmen in the second half, outscoring Navy, 7-4, to clinch the game.

Freshmen Blake Lee and Zepfel were pivotal on offense for the Crimson, scoring a combined nine of Harvard’s 15 goals. Lee led the way with five goals.