WASHINGTON, Pa. — Goals by Michael Rojas and Manuel Soto Estela broke a 19-19 tie in the second overtime and defensive plays by Milos Popovic and Julen Alonso made the lead stand as Salem University opened Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference play with a 21-20 victory over Mercyhurst University at Washington & Jefferson College’s Henry Natatorium. Popovic had a game-high six goals to go with four assists.
The Tigers made it a sweep on the day, holding off a late charge to defeat Monmouth College (Ill.) 18-12. Popovic and Rojas led Salem with four goals apiece.
Salem built a four-goal lead in the first quarter against Mercyhurst, but the Lakers rallied and led 14-11 in the fourth frame. The Tigers came back to tie the game 14-14 on goals by Popovic, Soto Estela and Robert Juhas.
Mercyhurst broke the tie and built the lead to two goals, but Adam Hudson scored a pair of goals in a span of 26 seconds to even the contest again. Neither team scored in the final 1:07 of regulation as the game went to overtime tied 16-16. Alonso made a steal in the final seconds to preserve the tie.
Juhas broke an 18-18 tie on a power play goal with 16 seconds left in the first overtime. But Mercyhurst answered with four seconds remaining.
Salem held Mercyhurst without a shot in the first minute-plus of the second OT frame and Rojas put the Tigers ahead to stay with 1:49 left off an assist from Popovic. Rojas then assisted on what proved to be the winning goal by Soto Estela as Salem led 21-19 with 1:04 remaining.
Popovic blocked a shot with less than a minute left and Alonso recorded a save in the final 28 seconds. Mercyhurst made it a one-goal game with 13 seconds left, but that was the Lakers’ last offensive challenge as Salem held on for the win.
Juhas finished with four goals, while Hudson and Soto Estela added three goals apiece. Rojas led all players with seven assists. Alonso tallied 16 saves and four steals in goal.
Against Monmouth, Salem took a 5-0 first quarter lead on goals by five different players, the last two goals by Salvador Orozco and Saequon Miller. Popovic’s goal early in the second quarter built the lead to 6-0 before Monmouth got on the scoreboard with 6:52 left before halftime.
Salem led 8-3 at the break and built a double-digit lead as Rojas scored all of his goals in a 6-0 third quarter. The Tigers survived a late fourth quarter Monmouth run to seal the win.
Alonso finished with seven saves and six steals in three quarters in goal. Rojas added three assists.
Release courtesy Salem University Athletics Communications
