ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst men's water polo team defeated Connecticut 14-12 before falling 12-6 to Gannon during the first day of the Collegiate Water Polo Association Western Championships on Saturday.
 
The Lakers will play in the third-place game on Sunday at 10:30 p.m. with the opponent to be determined.
 
Mercyhurst 14, Connecticut 12
Paul Goddard and Alex Cappuccio lead the way for Mercyhurst with four points each. Daniel Alvarez and Ryan Witoslawski had three points while Michael Gutman had two points. Single points were credited to Mathieu Davis, Derek Kagen and Jonathan Merkley.
 
In net, Nash Greeven made 18 saves and had two steals.
 
For Connecticut, Arturo Freitas had six points, Christian Jacobsen and Sam Guy had three points, Sean King recorded two points and Mike Gertsik had one point.
 
In net, Tanner Michaelis made 10 saves and had one steal.
 
Gannon 12, Mercyhurst 6
Cappuccio recorded three points while Witoslawski had two points. Single points were earned by Teagan Thomas, Merkley, Kagen, Davis and Alvarez.
 
In net, Greeven tallied 11 saves and two steals.
 
For Gannon,Jack Donnelly had three points. Drago Marjanovic, Riley Hinkley, Thomas Squeglia, Tim Baer and Robert Bolmanski had two points each. Marty Kaverman, Lucas Petzold and Anthony Squeglia had one point each.
 
In net, Jacob Hollo made 15 saves and had three steals.