NEW LONDON, Conn. — The Connecticut College men’s water polo team dropped a pair of games on the opening day of a home Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC)-West Region weekend at the Lott Natatorium. The Camels fell to Mercyhurst University, 14-5, and Salem University by a 16-12 score.
In the day’s opener, Mercyhurst scored the first three goals and jumped out to a 6-1 advantage before the midway point of the second quarter. The Lakers then led 10-2 at halftime and held off the Camels the rest of the way.
Freshman John Krill (Stamford, Conn.) paced the Camels’ offense with two goals in the contest.
After recognizing senior Jake Smith (Baltimore, Md.) for his contributions to the program during a pregame ceremony, Connecticut College was more competitive in its second game against Salem.
Despite falling behind early by a 5-1 score, junior Arturo Freitas (Weston, Fla.) and freshman Lucas Verrilli (Evanston, Ill.) scored back-to-back goals at the end of the first quarter to kickstart a 6-0 run for the Camels.
Connecticut College led 8-7 at the break thanks to getting another goal from Verrilli with 13 seconds remaining. The Tigers, however, clawed back to begin a seesaw battle which featured three ties and three lead changes during the second half.
Freshman Mike Gertsik (Brooklyn, N.Y.) found the back of the net to put the hosts up 11-10 with 5:11 left in the third, but the visitors would strike back and embark on a 6-0 run of their own to break out to a 16-11 lead and establish control for good.
Freitas led the Camels with four goals in the contest, while junior Sean King (La Canada, Calif.), Verrilli and Gertsik netted two apiece.
Release courtesy Connecticut College Athletics Communications
