BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — The Mercyhurst University men’s water polo team completed play at the Salem invitational as the Lakers dropped games against Gannon University, 28-13, and host Salem University, 16-13, at The Bridge Sports Complex.
Facing fellow Erie institution Gannon, the Golden Knights opened up the scoring in the first quarter with seven consecutive goals prior to Asher Jones firing in the Lakers’ opening strike. Ben Gavran scored another goal for the Lakers to narrow the team’s deficit to 7-2 by the completion of the opening eight minutes.
In the second quarter, Mercyhurst received another goal coming from Gavran to commence the frame. The Golden Knights responded with a goal of their own immediately afterwards. Keller Sens delivered a score to narrow Gannon’s lead back down to four. Gannon and Mercyhurst continued exchanging goals as Jones and Aiden Botterill lobbed in markers to chip the Lakers’ deficit down to 9-6. The Golden Knights proceeded to score four consecutive goals, until Gavran arched in a counterstrike with less than a minute left in the first half to complete a hat-trick and set the scoreboard at 13-7 heading into halftime.
In the third quarter, Gannon maintained its momentum by scoring four consecutive goals to extend the lead. That came to an end when Botterill scored his second goal of the game in hopes of keeping Mercyhurst within reach of the Golden Knights.
However, Gannon kept tallying goals until Declan Puacz snapped the run with one for the Lakers. Gavran scored his fourth goal of the game, to narrow Gannon’s lead to 20-10, but the Golden Knights extended their lead to 23-10 exiting the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Lakers kept themselves in the match with goals from Puacz, Daniel Goldgisser and Botterill, who also notched a hat trick. The Golden Knights rolled over the remainder of the game to secure a 28-13 win.
Taking on the host Tigers in the weekend finale, Mercyhurst was unable to keep pace with Salem.
In the first quarter, Salem struck for five goals prior to the Lakers receiving a marker by Jones to breakup the shutout.
Trailing 8-1 by the conclusion of the first quarter, the Lakers found their groove by going on a 4-0 run courtesy pairs of tallies by Sens and Jones to narrow the Salem led to three at 8-5. The Tigers pawed back with a goal and Mercyhurst delivered a slapback via a successful shot by Botterill. The pattern repeated itself as Salem answered before Puacz scored with eight seconds remaining to trim the Tigers’ lead to 10-7.
In the third quarter, Salem opened up with back-to-back goals to extend its lead to 12-7. Mercyhurst responded with a score by Gavran . The Lakers continued to show fight in the match with additional goals from Gavran and Jones to enter the third quarter within striking distance at 13-10.
However, the Tigers extended their lead in the fourth quarter with six consecutive goals. Mercyhurst responded with three goals from Jones, who completed the two games with seven tallies, but Salem managed to stymie their visitors to rest fo the way for a 16-13 win.
Information courtesy Mercyhurst University Athletics Communications
