LEBANON, Ill. — The McKendree University men’s water polo team took a 14-8 victory over Monmouth College in its home opener. It marked the first home game for the as the Bearcats’ first-year varsity program at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex.
McKendree scored early and often in the first quarter, leading 5-1 after the first eight minutes. The Bearcats struck first on a five-meter penalty shot by sophomore attacker Joseph Mahan (Corinth, Texas/John H Guyer) just 27 seconds into the contest. Just 19 seconds later, Mahan beat the Monmouth goalie for his second goal of the game. Sophomore attacker Izaya Owotor (Portland, Ore./David Douglas) gave the Bearcats the 3-0 lead, causing the Fighting Scots to call their first time-out of the game. McKendree didn’t stop there though, as sophomore Michael Krause (St. Louis, Mo./Saint Louis University) fired a shot that beat the Monmouth goaltender to give McKendree a four goal lead. Mahan followed suit and scored his third goal of the quarter to extend the lead to five. However, the Fighting Scots responded with a goal coming on a five-meter penalty shot.
McKendree didn’t take its foot off the gas for the second quarter, continuing to build on their lead. Sophomore attacker Robert Esson (Huntington Beach, CA/Huntington Beach) opened the scoring in the second quarter 43 seconds in. Krause netted his second goal of the contest with 6:36 left in the quarter, to give the Bearcats a 7-1 lead. Freshman utility player Sean Legg (Ottawa, Ontario) and sophomore Jarad Wahl (St. Louis, Mo./Oakville) each found the back of the net to pad McKendree’s lead to seven. Monmouth answered with 46 seconds left before the half, but McKendree held a 9-2 lead heading into half-time.
The third quarter opened with another McKendree goal, which came from sophomore attacker Luc Gregory (Laguna Beach, Calif./Laguna Beach). Krause and Mahan each added another marker before Monmouth could respond. Mahan netted his second five-meter penalty shot of the game to give McKendree a 10 goal lead. However, the Fighting Scots responded at the 3:40 mark to shrink the gap to nine. Mahan answered again, scoring his fifth goal of the game. At the end of the third quarter the Bearcats held a 13-3 lead over the Fighting Scots.
Monmouth College opened the scoring in the fourth quarter, just over one minute in. Gregory answered with his second goal of the contest, with 6:15 to play. Monmouth rallied to attempt a comeback scoring four unanswered goals, but ultimately fell short.
Release courtesy McKendree College Athletics Communications
