ERIE, Pa. — The Mercyhurst University men’s water polo team opened Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC)-West Region competition at the Hallman Aquatics Center by falling to McKendree University, 14-6, and Salem University, 17-9.
In game one, McKendree jumped out to a 2-0 lead three minutes and 31 seconds into the first stanza. Mercyhurst responded as Derek Kagen ripped two shots into the cage to tie the game at two-all.
However, the Bearcats scored four unanswered markers to end the first half, including a power play goal that was scored as time was expiring, to begin pulling.
After McKendree scored twice to make it an 8-2 game, Teagan Thomas and Michael Gutman found the back of the cage to move the Lakers within 8-4. McKendree then rattled off four tallies to widen its lead to 12-4.
Thomas added his second and third goals of the game in the fourth quarter, but the Bearcats kept pace to acquire a 14-6 win.
Tony Golin was in net for the duration of game one. He faced 19 shots and finished with five saves in taking the loss.
In game two versus Salem, the momentum in the first half tipped back and forth with both teams taking the lead at different points. Salem entered halftime with a slim 7-6 margin.
However, the Tigers pulled away in the second half as Salem outscored Mercyhurst by an 10-3 count.
Derek Kagen led Mercyhurst in scoring with three goals and an assist. Thomas and Mathieu Davis each tallied two points in the second match versus the Tigers.
Release courtesy Mercyhurst University Athletics Communications
