WASHINGTON, Pa. — Host Washington & Jefferson College outdueled Monmouth College, 16-11, and dropped a contest to Gannon University, 17-10, to open Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC)-West Region play at home in Henry Natatorium.
Against the Fighting Scots, the Presidents carried an 8-7 lead into halftime before outscoring Monmouth by a 5-1 count in the third quarter to take a 13-8 lead into the final eight minutes of regulation.
The margin proved too much for the Fighting Scots to overcome down the stretch to permit W&J to claim a five-goal victory.
Anthony Ames (Canyon County, Calif./Canyon) scored three times in the pivotal third quarter and four times overall to lead the Presidents. Robert Koch (Worcester, Pa./La Salle College) added three goals and Zishuo Ma (Los Alamitos, Calif./Los Alamitos) collected seven saves in the win.
Ryan Bannon (Bloomfield, Colo./Bloomfield) and Ian Geister (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) found the back of the net twice in the first half. Keegan McLaughlin (Wyndmoore, Pa./LaSalle College), Kyle Rubenstein (Abington, Pa./Upper Dublin), Robert Niino (Madera, Calif./Madera), Cam Spicer (Lansing, Mich./East Lansing) and Alex Lee (Los Angeles, Calif./Eagle Rock) all had one goal.
Against Gannon, the Golden Knights outscored the Presidents 6-1 in the second quarter following a four-all at the conclusion of the first quarter to carry a five-goal lead into the second half.
Ames, Koch, Will Kitsch (Mohnton, Pa./Governor Mifflin) and Tyler Francis (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) each scored twice. Nick Spehar (Perkasie, Pa./Pennridge) made a dozen saves and collected five steals.
Bannon and Andrew Edwards (Columbus, Ohio/St. Charles Prep) each tallied one goal in the defeat.
Release courtesy Washington & Jefferson College Athletics Communications
