BRIDGEPORT, W. Va. – The Washington and Jefferson College men's water polo team (0-6) were defeated 16-9 to the Mercyhurst Lakers (1-7). 
 
Four Presidents had multi-goal performances against the Lakers. Junior Joseph Aranda (Albuquerque, N.M./Menaul School) had a hat trick in the contest. Junior Brody Souder (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley), senior Dillon Parker (Nipomo, Calif./Central Coast New Tech), and sophomore Christopher Mitchell (Towson, Md./Loyola Blakefield) each netted two goals as well.
 
Mercyhurst got out to an early 4-0 lead, but the Presidents responded with two goals to cut the Laker advantage in half going into the second period. Aranda and Souder both got their first on the scoresheet in the opening period. Aranda's goal came on the power play, Parker was credited with an assist on Souder's tally.
 
Both teams traded goals in the second period as the Lakers took a 7-5 lead into the interval. Parker scored two goals in the period and Souder scored his second of the match. Mercyhurst extended their lead in the third period, outscoring the Red & Black 4-1. Aranda scored the lone goal for the Presidents in the third on a power play.
 
The Lakers continued their offensive push in the fourth quarter and ultimately took the match 16-9. Mitchell netted both of his goals in the final frame, one of which was on a power play. Aranda rounded out his hat trick off an assist from freshman Leo Carter (Washington, Pa./Trinity).
 
Freshman Michael Stefanko (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) got the start, making 11 saves throughout the course of the contest. Sophomore Layne Evans (Houston, Texas/Cypress Ranch) also made an appearance and had two saves.
 
The Presidents have a break in the schedule and will return to the pool on Saturday (Oct. 24) when they travel to Baltimore for the MPSF Conference Games at Johns Hopkins. W&J will take on the Austin Kangaroos at 9:00 a.m. and the Connecticut College Camels at 1:00 p.m.