2007 Division II Eastern Champion Mercyhurst College

BRONX, N.Y. –- For the Collegiate Water Polo Association’s varsity Division II teams, the road to the 2008 Division II Eastern Championship goes through Fordham University as the Rams will serve as host of the championship tournament on Saturday, October 25.

Although not an NCAA Division II institution, Fordham will serve as the neutral site meeting place for the championship as the Rams’ Vincent T. Lombardi Memorial Center will be invaded by Golden Knights, Tigers, Lakers and Knights of Gannon University, Salem International University, Mercyhurst College and Queens College.

Leading the charge into the 2008 title tilt is Mercyhurst College which captured the 2007 Division II title at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology courtesy a 13-8 victory over Gannon University. The title marked the first championship for the Lakers in their second Division II Championship appearance after finishing second in 2004.

Salem International University, which captured the 2004 crown, will seek to climb back to the top of the Division II ranks, while 2003 champion Queens College and Gannon University will also seek to rank as Division II’s best.

The tournament is a change from the 2007 format at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as the Division III Championship, which was held in conjunction with the Division II tournament a year ago and ultimately led to a Small College Championship, will be hosted by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore on October 25-26.