WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson College men's water polo team put together its best defensive effort of the season to record a 9-5 victory over visiting Mercyhurst University in a match at Henry Natatorium. 

Being recognized were Zishuo Ma (Los Alamitos, Calif./Los Alamitos), Lazar Marsenic (Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South), Chris Edwards (Bexley, Ohio/St. Charles Prep), AJ Alderman (Camp Hill, Pa./Cumberland Valley), Mitchell Rubio (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) and Elijah Muzzi (Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou) as part of Senior Night festivities. 

Rubio opened the scoring as he helped W&J out to an early 1-0 lead. The Lakers countered with a pair of goals to take a 2-1 lead after the first quarter of play. The Presidents evened the score by halftime. Aidan Johnson (Nassau, Bahamas/Windsor) and Edwards both scored in the second quarter to help W&J draw even with Mercyhurst at 3-3. 

W&J was able to take a 6-4 lead into the fourth quarter. Muzzi, Alderman and Edwards each scored during the frame to give the Presidents the lead for good. 

Mercyhurst chipped to within one early in the fourth. However, W&J had the answer. A steal in the offensive zone and score by Aidan Miller (Grove City, Ohio/St. Charles Prep) strengthened the lead to 7-5. 

Ma put the icing on the cake for the Presidents with a pair of empty net goals to seal the victory. 

Ma finished with a pair of goals while also accounting for 11 saves in net. Edwards logged the other multi-goal effort for the Presidents. 

The Presidents return to competition at the CWPA Division III Eastern Championship on Oct. 21. The event will be hosted MIT at Zesiger Center Pool in Cambridge, Mass.