ANNAPOLIS, Md.- The Mercyhurst men's water polo team lost a pair of games to begin the 2014 season. The Lakers fell at Navy, 14-6, and then dropped a 9-6 decision to Fordham Saturday. Both contests were part of the Navy Open.
 
Against Navy, ranked third in the CWPA Preseason Top 10, Mercyhurst fell behind, 4-0, after a quarter and trailed, 8-2, at halftime. The Lakers scored three fourth-quarter goals, but it was not enough. Joe Yamamoto scored two goals, while Alex Strong, Shaquille Mitchell, Jack Howe, and Gavin Oakley each scored once. Kevin Doyle posted six saves while playing the first half in goal. Gene Bilbao made five saves in the second half.
 
In the Fordham match, the Lakers went down, 5-2, at the break. They entered the final frame down by five. Mercyhurst scored three goals, but ended up falling by three.
 
Dave Matulis scored three goals. Oakley, Mitchell, and Howe each added a goal. Bilbao tallied six saves in the first half, while Doyle made seven stops in the second half.
 
The Lakers play tomorrow at the Navy Open, facing Mt. San Antonio College and Cerritos College.