LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Mercyhurst Men's water polo team began play in the Bucknell Bison Invitational on Saturday. The Lakers dropped their first game 11-7 to the University of Toronto, followed by loss to the host Bucknell 14-7.
 
Mercyhurst 7 – Toronto 11
 
Mercyhurst's first matchup against Toronto began as a tight duel. The Lakers matched Toronto goal-for-goal early. After the first quarter, the score was tied 3-3. After two quarters of play, both teams knotted at four apiece.
 
The third quarter was when Toronto took hold of the game. They shut out the Lakers in the period to take a 7-4 lead into the fourth and ended up winning 11-7.
 
Philip Jenny was the only Laker to score multiple goals in the game with three. He also led the Lakers defensively with two steals.
 
Mercyhurst 7 – Bucknell 14
 
The Lakers matched up against the host Bison next and dropped their second straight game, this time 14-7. Bucknell got off to a hot start by scoring the game's first six goals and held a 7-1 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Bison continued their momentum in the second quarter, scoring four straight goals to open up a 11-1 advantage with 3:30 remaining. The Lakers trailed 12-3 at halftime.
 
Jack Howe, Connor Schmitz, and Philip Jenny all scored goals in the second half to try and pull the Lakers back in it, but they weren't able to overcome the early deficit, losing 14-7.
 
Howe, Schmitz, and Jenny all had two goals in the match for the Lakers. Howe had a game-high 12 shots.
 
The Lakers (3-3) finish the Bison Invitational tomorrow against Brown at 1 p.m. and St. Francis-Brooklyn at 4:45 p.m.