BRIDGEPORT, W. Va – The Washington and Jefferson College men's water polo team (0-5) fell in the opening two matches at the Salem Invitational. The team was defeated by the Gannon Golden Knights (4-4) 19-9 and by the hosts Salem Tigers (2-5) 17-10.
 
Gannon 19, W&J 9
 
Junior Brody Souder (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) led the Presidents with four goals throughout the contest and an assist. Additionally, senior Dillon Parker (Nipomo, Calif./Central Coast New Tech) netted three goals and had two assists.
 
The opening period was a scoring affair as the Golden Knights got an early 7-0 lead. W&J cut the deficit down to five going into the second period following goals by Souder and classmate Joseph Aranda (Albuquerque, N.M./Menaul School).
 
Both teams settled into the contest as Gannon extends their lead to 10-3 going into the halftime interval. Junior Hector Santaella (Key Biscayne, Fla./Belen Jesuit Prep) found the scoresheet in the second frame with an assist credited to classmate Parker Elliott (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen).
 
The third period was back to being an offensive eight minutes. The Golden Knights outscored W&J 5-2 and extended their lead to 15-5. Parker and Souder scored and in the third stanza. Parker also assisted on Souder's goal.
 
The two teams traded goals in the fourth period, as Gannon took the victory 19-9. Souder had two goals in the final period and Parker had a goal and an assist. Senior Timothy Deutsch (Hazleton, Pa./Hazleton) also picked up an assist on one of Souder's tallies.
 
Freshman Michael Stefanko (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) made eight saves throughout the match and had two steals.
 
Salem 17, W&J 10
 
Souder and Parker combined for seven goals in the second game of the day. Souder also picked up an assist in the match.
 
The hosts got out to an early lead, outscoring W&J 5-1 in the opening period. Sophomore Christopher Mitchell (Towson, Md./Loyola Blakefield) scores the lone goal of the period and Souder is credited with an assist. Salem picked up an other 5-1 period and went into the halftime interval up 10-2. Parker netted the lone goal of the second period for the Red & Black.
 
W&J cut into the Tiger lead in the third period, outscoring Salem 5-3. Parker scored two goals in the quarter. Deutsch picked up a goal and an assist. Souder and Aranda found the back of the net as well. Souder scored two goals in the fourth period to try and cut the lead down, but ultimately the Tigers took the victory 17-10. Souder rounded out the scoring for the Red & Black.
 
Stefanko got the start in goal in game two. The freshman had 11 saves and two additional steals.
 
The Presidents return to the pool for one final contest at the Salem Invitational. W&J will take on Division I Mercyhurst at 11:40 a.m. on Sunday (Sept. 13).