ERIE, Pa. — The No. 15-ranked United States Naval Academy water polo team improved to 11-2, 2-0 in the Mid-Atlantic Waer Polo Conference (MAWPC) by taking an early lead and never looking back to cruise past Mercyhurst University in MAWPC competition at the Hallman Aquatic Center. Tied 1-1, the Midshipmen used a 12-0 run to take firm control of the game and sink the Lakers.
“Today was a good day for us,” head coach Luis Nicolao said after the game. “First and foremost, we got a conference win. We also were able to get a lot of guys into the pool; a lot of the younger guys. And they came through for us today. We had a lot of people score goals and a lot of people that contributed to the win. We have another important game tomorrow against Bucknell.”
Eleven different Navy players found the back of the net in the game with six notching multiple scores including three hat-tricks. Aiden Berry, Declan Murphy and Hudson Parks recorded hat-tricks on the day with JB Bergstedt, Connor Cashman and Austin Kahn scoring twice each. Maximus Arnold, Ryan Munch, Jack Pointner and Jack Rodoni also scored in the game.
Berry started the scoring, but Mercyhurst was able to tie the game at one-all with a five-meter goal. From there, Navy used a 12-0 run through the first half to take control of the game and never look back.
Cashman, Arnold, Murphy, and Berry closed out the first quarter with goals to start the run. In the second quarter, Kahn (twice), Murphy (twice), Parks (twice), Bergstedt and Pointer extended the advantage to 13-1 at halftime.
Mercyhurst opened the second half with a goal, but Navy countered with scores by Erwin, Cashman, Bergstedt and Parks. The Lakers added a goal to start the fourth quarter, but Berry completed his hat-trick with a five-meter goal. Following a Mercyhurst goal, Navy ended the game with goals by Rodoni and Munch to provide the final margin of 20-4.
Release courtesy United States Naval Academy Athletics Communications
