Gannon University to Host 2017 Collegiate Water Polo Association Division II Championship on October 14-15

BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Mercyhurst University, Salem International University and first-year varsity program McKendree University will travel to Gannon University on Saturday-Sunday, October 14-15, to compete in the 2017 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division II Championship.

Unlike last year in which Gannon, Salem International and host Mercyhurst competed in three games at the David M. Hallman III Aquatics Center in Erie, Pa. to determine the champion, the addition of McKendree makes the event a two-day affair with six games.

Similar to the 2016 Division II Championship, which was decided on goal differential as Salem International defeated Gannon (15-12 W), Mercyhurst downed Salem International (10-5 W) and Gannon knocked off Mercyhurst (13-11 W), the tournament will be decided exclusively on the results of head-to-head clashes between the now four Division II programs administered by the CWPA in the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) West Region.

Competition commences on Saturday, October 14, at Noon as Gannon faces Salem International.  Mercyhurst–vs.-McKendree (1:30 p.m.), Gannon–vs.-McKendree (5:00 p.m.) and Mercyhurst–vs.-Salem International (6:30 p.m.) follow to conclude Day One action.

On Sunday, October 15, the teams will return for the final two games as Salem International takes on McKendree at 10:00 a.m. prior to longtime crosstown foes Gannon and Mercyhurst squaring off at 11:30 a.m.

For fans unable to make the trip to Erie to watch the event in person, Gannon is slated to provide a live, free broadcast of the tournament via the institution’s streaming portal at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/gannon

In the history of the championship, Mercyhurst holds the most titles as the Lakers have captured eighth (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017) crowns, while Salem International (2004) and Gannon (2014) each hold one title.  Former varsity programs Slippery Rock University (2005) and Queens College (2003, 2010) account for the remaining three championships since the tournament was first held in 2003.