LEWISBURG, PA. — Wagner College wrapped up a busy weekend at the Bucknell Invitational by picking up a pair of high-scoring victories over Salem University, 14-8, and Mercyhurst University, 17-15, while dropping a hard-fought contest to tournament host Bucknell, 19-14, at Kinney Natatorium.
Facing Salem on Saturday, September 19, the Seahawks established control from the opening sprint, building a 4-1 lead by the end of the first quarter . Sophomore Nadav Carmon and junior Matan Friedenberg were key in the early surge, finding the back of the net to help the Green & White set the pace against the Tigers.
Carmon and Friedenberg both struck again early in the second quarter to expand the lead, with some other goals from sophomore Aksel Gerhardstein and sophomore Jacob Troy, allowing the Seahawks to carry a comfortable 7-3 advantage into the halftime break.
Salem attempted to respond in the second half, but the Seahawks matched their intensity every time. Wagner took the third quarter 3-2 to extend their cushion to 10-5 before closing out the game with a four-goal final frame.
Sophomore Kelly Murphy took advantage of the stretch, netting three goals in the fourth quarter, while sophomore Toby Zeeck also added a late strike to help seal the 14-8 victory.
Sunday, September 20, brought a pair of Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) match-ups as Wagner squared off with both Mercyhurst and the host Bison.
In the early game, Bucknell took control of the match early, using their home-pool advantage to build a 6-3 lead in the opening frame . Friedenberg, Carmon and Murphy all found the back of the net for Wagner in the first quarter to keep Wagner within striking distance.
The Seahawks found their rhythm defensively in the second quarter. Friedenberg struck again, completing a hat trick, while junior captain Smith Connors, junior Matt Wedlock and senior captain Patrick Ray added goals of their own to entering halftime down 12-9.
Bucknell kept the momentum coming out of the intermission. The Bison offense erupted in the third quarter, putting together a five-goal frame. Wagner kept battling, generating two goals of their own in the period courtesy of Ray and Zeeck, but Bucknell carried a commanding 17-11 lead into the final eight minutes.
The Seahawks continued to fight in the fourth quarter, outscoring the hosts 3-2 down the stretch. Murphy and freshman James Davis provided late offensive highlights, but the third-quarter deficit proved too large to overcome as Bucknell secured a 19-14 victory.
In the weekend finale against Mercyhurst, Troy dominated the Seahawks’ attack, scoring two goals. Wagner imposed its rhythm, lighting up the scoreboard with two more strikes from freshman Harry Colley and Connors, who helped the Green & White establish a four-all tie after eight minutes.
The offensive play continued into the second frame, where Wagner outscored the Lakers 3-2. Colley found the back of the net again alongside a two-goal surge from Connors, expanding the Seahawks’ advantage to a 7-6 lead at the halftime intermission.
Mercyhurst mounted an intense second-half response. However, timely finishes by Connors in both the third and fourth quarters, along with a critical five-meter penalty conversion from senior Gabe Johnson, provided Wagner with the cushion needed to preserve the win down the stretch.
Releae courtesy Wagner College Athletics Communications
