ERIE, Pa.- The Mercyhurst men's water polo team had two of the best seasons in program history in 2012 and 2013. With a cast of new faces leading the way, the Lakers will have a number of unanswered questions heading into the 2014 season.
 
Perhaps the biggest unanswered question is in goal. Mercyhurst will have three choices, all freshmen, entering the season. Gene Bilbao, Kevin Doyle, and Andrew Too-A-Foo will all compete for time in cage. Bilbao is a Mohnton, Pennsylvania, native. He was named All-State as a junior and a senior at Governor Mifflin High. Doyle is from Baltimore, Maryland. He was chosen MVP of the MIAA in 2013 and 2013 Eastern Prep MVP. Too-A-Foo boasts four years of national team experience for Trinidad and Tobago and appeared in the Junior Pan-Am Games in 2012.
 
Another question entering the season is at the center position. Junior Dave Matulis is the leading returning scorer this season. In 2013, he posted 20 goals and 23 points. He ranked third on the team with 14 drawn ejections. Shaquille Mitchell will look to make an impact after redshirting last season. He played for the Trinidad and Tobago National Team and appeared in the Junior Pan-Am Games in 2011 and 2012.
 
The Lakers will have several players in new roles this season, including at the driver spot. Jack Howe dished out 15 assists on his way to 21 points, while Alex Strong added eight goals and 12 assists. Senior Samuel Lopez has contributed 18 goals and 20 assists in three years coming off the bench. Joe Yamamoto will have an immediate impact as a junior transfer. At Ventura College, he earned Second Team All-SoCal recognition.
 
Mercyhurst's attack will feature a number of returners seeing more significant time in 2014. Gavin Oakley and Joey Ryan will support the defense, while Jordan Hodur, Michael Lawson, and Christian Dudley will bolster the offense.
 
Mercyhurst opens the season at the Navy Open September 6-7, playing four games, including a date with the hosts. After four contests at Bucknell, the Lakers play at Penn State Behrend on September 20. They play Monmouth the next day and then travel to Washington and Jefferson and Salem International to begin Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) action.
 
A trip to Michigan follows, with the CWPA Division II Championship at Gannon October 18. The Lakers head to Bucknell on October 19 and then play at Gannon October 24. Mercyhurst hosts Monmouth and Behrend on October 25-26 at the North East Aquatic Center.
 
For the 2014 schedule, please click here.