BRIDGEPORT, W. Va. – The Washington & Jefferson men's water polo team (1-12, 0-5) dropped the opening two matches of the Salem Invitational with losses to Division II Salem Tigers (13-12, 0-3) and Division I Mercyhurst (1-14, 0-6).
 
W&J 6, Salem 20
The hosts got out to a strong start, outscoring the Presidents to take a 7-0 lead into quarter two.  The Presidents got on the board when sophomore Brody Souder (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) netted two goals.  Freshman Liam Miller (Grove City, Ohio/St. Charles Prep) got a third team goal in the quarter to try and cut into the Tiger's lead.  Salem took a 13-3 lead into the third quarter.
 
The Tigers continued to extend their lead in the third frame.  Senior captain Aidan Miller (Grove City, Ohio/St. Charles Prep) scored the Presidents' lone goal in the quarter. W&J fought to tie the scoring in the fourth quarter.  Souder picked up his third goal of the match and junior Dillon Parker (Nipomo, Calif./Central Coast New Tech) got on the score sheet. 
 
W&J 12, Mercyhurst 17
It was back and forth between the two teams from the opening spring in the contest.  Aidan Miller (Grove City, Ohio/St. Charles Prep) and freshman Topher Mitchell (Annapolis, Md./Loyola Blakefield) scored in the quarter.  The Presidents continued keep the game close in the second quarter.  Souder got himself on the score sheet game two.  The lakers took an 8-5 lead into the final two quarters. 
 
W&J looked energized to start the third quarter.  Parker scores four goals in the quarter to cut into the Laker advantage.  The difference in this match was a 5-2 fourth quarter for Mercyhurst.  Liam Miller (Grove City, Ohio/St. Charles Prep) and sophomore Joseph Aranda (Albuquerque, N.M./Menaul School) each score for the Presidents. 
 
The Presidents look to bounce back in day 2 of the Salem Invitational.  W&J takes on Division II McKendree Bearcats at 11 a.m. and Gannon Golden Knights at 3:00 p.m.