Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst Men's Water Polo played in front of their home crowd for the first time this season Friday night against Augusta. Even within their friendly confines, the Lakers were unable to get the job done as they fall to 2-12 on year after the 17-4 loss.

How it Happened

The Vikings came out of the gates as the aggressors as they managed to find the back of the net on six occasions in the opening period of play compared Mercyhurst's one. Augustana knew they would need to quell a loud home crowd and were able to do so, helping them claim the momentum in the early going. The Lakers did managed to keep from being shut out the opening period of play as Owen Hardner scored late in the frame.

Hardner once again scored for Mercyhurst in the second quarter to help give the Lakers some life. Mercyhurst managed to outscore their counterpart in the second period as they netted three goals with Asher Jones and Teagan Thomas both getting on the board. With their efforts, the Lakers were able to hang around going into the halftime break, down only 9-4.

Augustana came out of the break strong, showing any thought of a comeback to be a moot point. The Vikings rattled off nine unanswered goals while keeping their counterpart off the scoreboard, helping them jump way out in front and take the 13-goal win.

Highlights

Hardner led the way in goals with two while Jones and Thomas both had one. Jones added two steals to his line to tie for second most on the day alongside Nate Cheney, JP Kirouac, and Parker Wood while Tony Golin's three was good enough for the team lead.

Next Game

Mercyhurst gets back in the pool tomorrow as they are set to take on Austin College at 6:30 p.m. followed by a trip to Penn State Behrend on Sunday when the Lakers and Lion faces off at noon.