PRINCETON, New Jersey -- After two weeks off from competition, the Marist water polo team is back in action at the Princeton Invitational on Saturday.

The Red Foxes will square off against the Bucknell University Bison (1 pm) and the George Washington University Colonials (6 pm). 

LAST TIME OUT:

Marist last competed at the Bruno Classic, hosted by Brown University, on Saturday, Feb. 3 where it fell to the #19 Harvard University Crimson 13-3, before picking up its first win of the season with a 11-8 victory over the #T25 Brown University Bears.

SIXTH STRAIGHT WEEK RANKED:

The Red Foxes are ranked 25th in the Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association Week 5 Poll the organization announced on Wednesday.

The ranking marks the sixth consecutive week Marist was included in the poll and is the eighth time they have been included in a national poll this season. Previously, the team was ranked #23 in the CWPA's Preseason and Week 1 Polls, #12 in the USA Water Polo National Collegiate Rankings three weeks ago, #24 in the CWPA Week 2 Poll, #21 in the USA Water Polo National Collegiate Rankings two weeks ago, #24 in the CWPA Week 3 Poll and #T24 in the CWPA Week 4 Poll.

COACHING HONOR:

Head coach Chris Vidale was named a USA Water Polo 2017 Zone Award Winner as a Northeast Distinguished Coach the organization announced on Feb 6.

The winners, representing zones from all across the country, honor contributions in variety of areas including coaching, officiating, volunteering, master's water polo, and more.

Vidale currently is in his second season guiding the Red Foxes. In 2017, he led Marist to a 20-14 (11-3 MAAC) record, the program's best overall record since 2013, the team's 14^th straight appearance in the MAAC Tournament and an appearance in the MAAC Championship game for the fourth straight season.

He also serves as the head coach of the New York Athletic club's women's water polo team, which consisted of a variety of former collegiate and elite level players and in 2017 led the team to US Open and Collegiate Cup Championships.

SCOUTING THE BISON:

Bucknell enters the tournament with an overall record of 6-2 and having received votes in the CWPA Week 5 Poll. The Bison were last in action last weekend at the Bison Invitational where they picked up a 17-9 win over Gannon University, a 17-8 win over Saint Francis (PA), an 11-8 win over George Washington and an 11-4 win over Siena. 

SCOUTING THE COLONIALS:

George Washington enters the tournament with an overall record of 4-1 and are coming off an 18-8 win over Siena College, a 16-10 win over Gannon University, an 11-8 loss at Bucknell and a 21-13 win over Saint Francis (PA) at the Bison Invitational and an 14-12 (OT) win over Iona College on Feb. 16. 

HOW TO FOLLOW:

A paid for live stream of both matches will be available here and live stats will be available vs Bucknell and vs George Washington. Fans can also follow @MaristWP for in game updates. 

UP NEXT:

Following the Princeton Invitational, the Red Foxes return home to McCann Natatorium where they will face off against the Brown University Bears (9:30 am) and the Hartwick College Hawks (2:30 pm) on Sunday, Feb. 25.