ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst men's water polo team started the 2016 season winning three of four games in the Laker Invitational held this weekend at the Cathedral Prep Events Center. The Lakers started on Saturday, Sept. 10 with wins against Salem International and Washington & Jefferson. They followed that up with a 1-1 mark on Sunday with a loss against Lindenwood and a win against Penn State Behrend.
 
Mercyhurst 14, Salem International 9
 
The Lakers opened their 2016 season with a 14-9 win against Salem International. Mercyhurst outscored the Tigers in three of the four quarters. Alec Diaz scored two goals in the first quarter and Connor Schmitz had a team-high three goals for the Lakers.  
 
Mercyhurst 16, Washington & Jefferson 11
 
Mercyhurst put together a solid team-effort with a five-goal win against the Presidents thanks to a fast start. The Lakers led W&J 8-3 after the first half of play. Jack Howe scored all four of his goals in the second quarter for Mercyhurst. Joey Ryan chipped in three goals all scored in the first half as well.
 
Mercyhurst 14, Penn State Behrend 8
 
Mercyhurst started day two with a 14-8 win against Penn State Behrend. The Lakers ran away with the game after the first quarter when they exploded for eight goals, including three from Diaz in the frame. Michael Lawson lit up the stat sheet with his four goals in the game.
 
Mercyhurst 10, Lindenwood 24
 
The Lakers' only loss of the Laker Invitational came against Lindenwood on Sunday. Despite three-goal efforts from Howe and Matt Bachler, the Lions raced past the Lakers led by top-scorer Toni Stone who netted a game-high seven goals.

Mercyhurst gets back in the pool in the Bison Invitational at Bucknell University Sept. 17-18. The Lakers take on the University of Toronto in their first game of the weekend at 2:30 Saturday.