ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst College men's water polo team stretched its winning streak to eight games with a pair of wins over Collegiate Water Polo Association foes Friday evening at the Carneval Athletic Pavilion. The Lakers defeated Salem International 8-4 before downing cross-town rival Gannon 14-10 shortly after. With the wins, Mercyhurst improves to 10-3 overall and 6-0 in CWPA action.

Mercyhurst quickly disposed of Salem International in a game that was suppose to take place back on Sept. 25 with a strong first half. The Lakers turned a 4-2 lead after the first quarter into a 7-2 advantage going into halftime. Salem cut the deficit to four in the third, but a 1-1 fourth quarter and the big Laker first half proved to be too much.

Senior Alex Moggridge, making his first appearance of the season, led the offense with two goals and an assist for three points. Freshmen Matt Cote and Jacob Dorn each added a goal and an assist, while freshmen Justin Deis and Tye Schreiber and sophomore Luis Solis all scored once.

In addition to his two points, Cote also earned the win in goal, turning aside one shot and allowing three scores through the first three quarters. Sophomore Brandon Yasses played the fourth with four saves.

Against Gannon, the Lakers overcame a slow start and a 4-3 first-quarter setback by outscoring their cross-town rival 2-1 in the second before exploding with a 6-4 edge in the third and a 3-1 advantage in the fourth.

Sophomore Ian Tasman orchestrated the offense with a game-high five assists while freshman Brett Luehmann led the goal scorers with four tallies. Senior Kane Ashton and freshman Danilo Svorcan both added hat tricks, sophomore William Page scored twice, and junior Josh Rodriguez and Moggridge tacked in a goal and an assist apiece.

Senior Andy Sekulski picked up the win in net with 13 saves, two steals and an assist.

Mercyhurst will get little rest before its next game,  as the Lakers take on Penn State Behrend on Saturday, Oct. 2 at the Junker Center. Game time is set for 12 p.m.