ERIE, Pa – The Washington & Jefferson Men's Water Polo team suffered two losses on Sunday (Sept. 22) to Connecticut College (13-8) and Mercyhurst University (12-7) respectively.
The pair of losses drops W&J to an overall record of 1-4 so far on the year.
Connecticut College 13, W&J 8
W&J opened the day with a 13-8 loss to Connecticut College. Connecticut College gained an early lead, tallying six marks in the first quarter to get ahead 6-2.
The Presidents put up the first point in the second quarter to lessen the Camels lead but were shut down by back-to-back markers from the competitor to head into the second half with a score of 8-3.
W&J would only score once more in the third while Connecticut was able to piece together an 11-4 lead to carry into the final eight minutes.
The Presidents made a strong start to the final frame, using a 4-1 run to cut into the Camels lead, making it 12-8. The push wouldn't be enough however as the Camels held them off for the remainder of the final minutes and found the net once more to seal the 13-8 victory over the Red & Black.
Mercyhurst 12, W&J 7
W&J rebounded with a strong start in game two, wrapping the first quarter on top 2-1 following goals netted by Dillon Parker (Nipomo, Calif./ Central Coast New Tech) and Aidan Miller (Grove City, Ohio/ St. Charles Prep).
Mercyhurst quickly bounced back, shutting out the Presidents in the second quarter, putting up four goals to turn the table and end the half leading W&J 5-2.
The Lakers maintained the lead the rest of the bout despite the Presidents' offensive efforts. Kailer Spicer (East Lansing, Mich. East Lansing) launched a comeback attempt for W&J, scoring the only two goals for the team in the third quarter but was unsuccessful in creating a sustained spark for the offense.
The Presidents only tallied three more in the third by Miller, Parker, and Brody Souder (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) in that order, thus falling to the Lakers by a score of 13-8.
Andrew Rippke (Perrysburg, Ohio/Saint Francis De Sales) had three saves in the outing.
Up Next: W&J heads back to the Henry Natatorium to host a matchup against Wheaton (Mass.) and Augustana on Saturday (Oct. 12). Their first bout of the day is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m.
