NEW LONDON, Conn. — Gannon University continued its roll through the division and claimed the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC)-West Region regular season title by stopping Salem University, 13-11, and Mercyhurst University, 20-6, at Connecticut College’s Lott Natatorium.
Against Salem, Gannon turned a 2-1 first quarter deficit into a 4-2 lead with three consecutive goals. Riley Hinkley (Meshoppen, Pa./Princeton), Zarko Sadikovic (Nis, Serbia/GTS Neimar) and Thomas Squeglia (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) all found the net for Gannon.
The Golden Knights strong first quarter helped them build a 6-4 lead, which they extended to 8-4 with the first two goals of the second quarter. Anthony Squeglia (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) and Robert Bolmanski (Erie, Pa./McDowell) scored for the Golden Knights to begin the second frame.
Salem closed the first half with three straight goals.
Hinkley responded with a goal at 7:06 to begin the third quarter, but Salem countered back once again with back-to-back goals.
The Golden Knights posted four goals in a row to seize control of the game. Gannon’s stretch of goals spanned from 3:46 left in the third quarter to 3:52 left in the fourth.
Bolmanski and Tony Squeglia led the way for Gannon with three goals each.
Brett Rehrer (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills) made nine saves and passed out three assists to go along with two steals for Gannon.
Salem held a 32-30 edge in shots over the Golden Knights.
Gannon was 4-of-7 on powerplay chances.
The Golden Knights outscored Salem by one goal in each half with an 8-7 margin in the first half and a 5-4 second half margin.
Facing Mercyhurst, Gannon used an offensive surge in the first half to take a commanding 11-3 lead before cruising to a 20-6 victory over the Lakers in the second game of the day.
Gannon outscored Mercyhurst 6-1 in the opening frame to take control early. Sadikovic scored four of the Golden Knights first six goals.
Gannon continued applying the offensive pressure in the second quarter, outscoring the Lakers 5-2 for an 11-3 lead at the half.
The second half was a similar story, with Gannon converting for nine goals. Sadikovic scored three straight goals to close the third quarter at 1:02 and 0:21 and begin the fourth quarter at 7:31.
The Gannon defense did not allow more than two goals in any quarter of the game versus Mercyhurst.
Sadikovic scored nine goals on 15 shots and set new career-high for goals, shots and points in a match. He also added three assists and three steals.
Rehrer finished with 18 saves, while Nate Winkler (Southlake, Texas/Carroll Independent School District) also saw time in goal for the Golden Knights.
Despite the wide margin of victory, Gannon only had two more shot attempts (38-36) than the Lakers.
The Gannon powerplay was clicking throughout the match and the Golden Knights converted six of their 10 chances.
John Vieira (Erie, Pa/Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy (McDowell)) found the net twice for Gannon, while David Gallion (Arlington, Va./Homeschool) scored once. In total, seven different players scored a goal for the Golden Knights.
Release courtesy Gannon University Athletics Communications
