LEWISBURG, Pa. — The Long Island University men’s water polo team fell to No. 20-ranked the United States Air Force Academy and defeated Mercyhurst University, 14-9, on the final day of the 2023 Bucknell Invitational hosted by Bucknell University at Kinney Natatorium.
In the first match of the day, the Sharks were in a back-and-forth match with Air Force.
Three straight goals by Riyad Shehadeh cut the Falcons’ lead to 6-5, but the barrage of LIU goals woke up in the sleeping giant in their opponent. Air Force then went on a 5-1 scoring run and refused to give up the lead.
Shehadeh scored four of the seven LIU goals with Josep Jodra Muñoz and Karl Lovett adding the other three.
In the second match of the day, the Sharks got off to a slow start. They found themselves in an early hole after Mercyhurst rattled off three straight goals to gain an early lead, but were not fazed.
Jodra Muñoz, Shehadeh and Ben LeClair scored to give LIU a 4-3 lead before the Lakers tied it up. The turning point of the match was when Logan Morgan found the back of the net to regain the lead. From there, the Sharks did not look back.
Morgan, Jodra Muñoz and Shehadeh would combine for five more goals to give themselves a commanding lead. Charlie Downey would add a goal late to claim a five-score victory.
Jodra Muñoz led the Sharks with five goals, while Shehadeh finsihed the match with four goals, bringing his team-high total to 28.
Information courtesy Long Island University Athletics Communications
