SALEM, W. Va., - The Mercyhurst men's water polo team competed at the Salem Invitational and played two games against Johns Hopkins and Salem. The Lakers lost their first game 21-6 to the Blue Jays, and also lost their second game 23-10 to the Tigers.
 
Game One
In the first quarter, Johns Hopkins opened up to a four goal lead before Ben Gavran scores for the Lakers off a pass from Asher Jones. The Blue Jays continued the offense and scored two more goals to end the quarter with a five goal lead.
 
Within the first minute of the second quarter, Johns Hopkins scored a powerplay goal to extend their lead. 15 seconds later, Petar Vujovic scored a goal for Mercyhurst, which was assisted by Cooper Venneman. Vujovic continued the offense for the Lakers, scoring his second goal of the game, with this one coming from Mason Grzybowski. Johns Hopkins proceeded to score two more goals to take a 9-3 goal lead..
 
Johns Hopkins scored six straight goals in the third quarter to take a 15-3 lead into the fourth.
 
The Blue Jays continued to put the offense on display, scoring three straight goals within the first two minutes of the quarter. Vujovic scores yet another goal, for a hat trick on the day. The Blue Jays responded, but Gavran scored his second goal of the game for the Lakers. Johns Hopkins added two more goals before Vujovic netted his fourth goal of the game. The Blue Jays went to win the game 21-6.
 
Game Two
In the first quarter, the Tigers opened up the quarter with a powerplay goal to take an early 1-0 lead. Asher Jones responded for the Lakers with a goal that was assisted by Petar Vujovic. Salem responds with five consecutive goals, before Caden Stover finds the back of net to narrow the deficit to four. The Tigers score another goal with just under 10 seconds left. Vujovic scores a penalty shot at the end of the period for Mercyhurst, trailing 7-3.
 
In the second quarter, Vujovic scores yet again for Mercyhurst, keeping them in the match. Vujovic continues putting the offense on display, scoring a powerplay goal to give him his second hat trick on the day. Salem responds with five consecutive goals, extending their lead to seven. On yet another powerplay, the Lakers score with a goal from Asher Jones, which was assisted by Declan Puacz. The Lakers trailed 12-6 going into halftime.
 
Mercyhurst opens the third quarter with yet another powerplay opportunity. Declan Puacz scored a goal for the Lakers. The Tigers quickly responded with a penalty shot. After the penalty shot, Salem scored back-to-back goals to further extend their lead. Mercyhurst scored back-to-back of their own with the first goal coming from Peter Bodoki, and the second one coming from Constantine Romanov. The Lakers trail 15-9 to end the third quarter.
 
Salem opened the fourth quarter scoring two goals to close out the game. Vujovic responded for the Lakers, finding the back of net for the fourth time today. Salem went on and scored six more goals, going on to take a 23-10 victory.
 
The Lakers return to action when they compete at day two of the Salem Invitational on Sunday, Sep. 13. They will take on Washington and Jefferson at 11:40 a.m.
 
Look at the 2026 schedule here.