ERIE, Pa.- The #20 Mercyhurst men's water polo team opens the 2013 season at the Bison Invite September 14-15. The Lakers will play four times in the event hosted by Bucknell University.
 
Mercyhurst begins action against Diablo Valley on Saturday at 10 a.m. It then plays #15 Bucknell at 5:30 p.m. The following day, the Lakers take on Fordham at 10:15 a.m. and then Penn State Behrend at 12:45 p.m.
 
A live video broadcast of the Mercyhurst at Bucknell game will be available at http://new.livestream.com/PatriotLeagueNetwork/bucknell.
 
Coach Curtis Robinette's squad had its best season in 2012, winning a school-record 23 games and advancing to the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Eastern Championships for the first time in program history. The Lakers return several key performers, including senior Brett Luehmann. With his first goal of 2013, Luehmann will tie the Mercyhurst record for career goals. Andrew Schonhoff holds the current mark with 205. As a junior, Luehmann was chosen Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Division II Co-Player of the Year.
 
Diablo Valley is a strong junior college program out of San Ramon, California. It has won the Big 8 Conference in each of the last four seasons. The contest will be an exhibition.
 
Bucknell won four times last weekend at Navy, including wins over Notre Dame College, Gannon, and Iona. Last season, the Bison went 17-14, winning the CWPA Southern Championship. They beat Mercyhurst, 9-4, in that contest. Jack Else is back after scoring 55 goals in 2012, while Alex Nowlin returns after an 84-point season.
 
Fordham went 3-1 at Navy, defeating Salem International, Notre Dame, and Gannon. The Rams fell, 12-11, to Navy. Fordham had a 7-22 record last year, including an 11-8 loss to Mercyhurst on October 20. Nicolas Allen is back for his senior season after scoring 48 goals in 2012.
 
Behrend took three losses at the Navy Open. Victor Nguyen posted 13 goals and eight assists last season. The Lions went 2-23 last season, including two losses to the Lakers.