ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst Men's water polo team played in a doubleheader at the Salem invitational against Washington and Jefferson & McKendree. The Lakers split both games with a 17-11 victory against Washington and Jefferson & a 20-9 defeat against McKendree.
 
Game One
 
In the first quarter, the Lakers opened up the scoring within the first 15 seconds, thanks to Asher Jones. After Washington and Jefferson tied the game 1-1, Mercyhurst responded with another goal from Jones. The Presidents followed up with another goal, tying the game at 2-2. Keller Sens and Declan Puacz responded with goals, extended the Mercyhurst lead to 4-2. The Presidents responded, but Mercyhurst scored thanks to another goal by Puacz. This kept the Lakers' lead by two at the end of the first with a score 5-3.
 
In the second quarter, the Lakers continued the offensive momentum with yet another goal, this time from Ben Gavran. Washington and Jefferson responded with a goal, narrowing the lead back to two. Luke Larson responded with back-to-back goals, extending the Lakers' lead 8-4. With about two minutes left, the Presidents scored a goal to trail 8-5 going into halftime.
 
In the third quarter, Jones opened the scoring for the Lakers, getting yet another hat trick on the season. The Presidents scored back-to-back goals, narrowing Mercyhurst's lead 9-7. Gavran responded scoring another goal to push the lead back up to three. The Lakers and the Presidents traded goals, with yet another one coming from Jones, his fourth of the game. The Presidents kept themselves in the game with another goal. Aidan Ivory scored a goal for the Lakers to keep the lead at three, but the Presidents quickly responded to narrowing the Lakers' lead 12-10 going into the fourth.
 
In the fourth quarter, Jones opened the scoring again for the Lakers with his fifth goal of the game. Gavran responds with a goal of his own, giving him the hat trick. The Lakers continued the scoring with another goal from Larson, giving him the hat trick as well. With just under a minute left, the Lakers continued to score two more goals. One from Puacz which gives him a hat trick, and another from Daniel Goldgisser. With just five seconds left, the Presidents scored a goal. However, it wasn't enough as the Lakers secured the 17-11 victory.
 
Game Two
 
In the first quarter, McKendree opened up the game scoring eight consecutive goals. With just under two minutes left, Aiden Ivory scored a goal to narrow the Bearcats' lead to seven going into the second quarter.
 
In the second quarter, the Bearcats continued their momentum with scoring four more goals to open the quarter. The Lakers scored back-to-back goals coming from Keller Sens and Aiden Botterill, narrowing McKendree's lead to 12-3 at the half.
 
In the third quarter, the Lakers opened up the scoring with a goal from Sens. Mercyhurst and McKendree traded goals as Ben Gavran scored for the Lakers. The Bearcats proceeded to score yet again, but Mercyhurst responded with a goal from Caden Stover to make the deficit 15-6 going into the fourth.
 
In the fourth quarter, both teams traded goals within the first two minutes. Stover scored yet another goal for the Lakers. McKendree proceeded to score two more goals to extend their lead. The Lakers responded with back-to-back goals from Declan Puacz, narrowing the Bearcats' lead. McKendree proceeded to score two more goals to secure the victory 20-9.
 
The Lakers continue play on Oct. 26 when they face off against Gannon at 10:30 a.m. and Salem at 1:30 p.m.