WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson men's water polo team began its conference slate by hosting the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference Games. The Presidents welcomed Monmouth, Gannon, Mercyhurst and Connecticut for the first round of conference play for the West Region teams.
 
W&J went 1-1 on the Saturday with a victory over Monmouth and a loss to Gannon. The Presidents then fell by a 22-9 score to Mercyhurst University on Sunday afternoon. 
 
Date: Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019
Where: Washington, Pa.
Opponent: Monmouth
Result: Win 16-11
 
How it Happened: The Presidents carried an 8-7 lead into halftime before outscoring Fighting Scots 5-1 in the third quarter to take 13-8 lead into the fourth quarter. W&J held on to win 16-11 for its first conference win of the season.
 
Top Performers:  Anthony Ames (Canyon County, Calif./Canyon) scored three times in the pivotal third quarter and four times overall to lead the Presidents. Robert Koch (Worcester, Pa./La Salle College) added three goals and Zishuo Ma (Los Alamitos, Calif./Los Alamitos) collected seven saves in the win.
 
The Rest: Ryan Bannon (Bloomfield, Colo./Bloomfield) and Ian Geister (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) found the back of the net twice in the first half. Keegan McLaughlin (Wyndmoore, Pa./LaSalle College), Kyle Rubenstein (Abington, Pa./Upper Dublin), Robert Niino (Madera, Calif./Madera), Cam Spicer (Lansing, Mich./East Lansing) and Alex Lee (Los Angeles, Calif./Eagle Rock) all had one goal.
 

Date: Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019
Where: Washington, Pa.
Opponent: Gannon
Result: Loss 17-10
 
How it Happened: After both teams put up four goals in the first quarter, Gannon outscored the Presidents 6-1 in the second quarter to carry a five-goal lead into the second half. The Knights held on to win 17-10.
 
Top Performers: Ames, Koch, Will Kitsch (Mohnton, Pa./Governor Mifflin), and Tyler Francis (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) each scored twice. Nick Spehar (Perkasie, Pa./Pennridge) made a dozen saves and collected five steals.
 
The Rest: Bannon and Andrew Edwards (Columbus, Ohio/St. Charles Prep) each tallied one goal in the defeat.
 

Date: Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019
Where: Washington, Pa.
Opponent: Mercyhurst
Result: Loss 22-9
 
How it Happened: The Presidents fell 22-9 to Mercyhurst University in the final match of a busy weekend Sunday afternoon. The Presidents faced a 9-5 deficit at halftime and were outscored 10-2 in the third quarter of the setback. 
 
Top Performers:  Kitsch led the way offensively with a pair of goals against the Lakers. 
 
The Rest: Seven other Presidents tallied a goal each in the loss.