Gannon Downs PSU-Behrend 19-10, Falls to Mercyhurst 16-11 in CWPA Southern Division Action

ERIE, Pa. -- The Gannon men's water polo team split a pair of road matches during the final day of the regular season on the afternoon of October 11. The Golden Knights opened the day with a 19-10 victory at Penn State Behrend, before falling 16-11 at Mercyhurst.

In the opener, Gannon led from start to finish. The Golden Knights led 6-2 after one quarter and 10-5 at halftime. The squad over-powered the Lions 8-3 in the third quarter and headed to the final frame with an 18-8 lead. Penn State Behrend held a slight 2-1 scoring advantage in the final eight minutes.

Kenny Milburn (Camp Hill, Pa./Cumberland Valley) led the Gannon offensive attack with four goals. Greg Nelson (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor), Michael Piper (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake) and Stephen Espinet (Port of Spain, Trinidad/Maple Leaf) recorded hat tricks in the victory.

Phil Myrick (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) and Jamison Anton (North Wales, Pa./North Penn) added two goals each. Ben Syme (Victoria, B.C./Claremont Secondary) and Rob Bullion (Tonawanda, N.Y./Kenmore East) chipped in one goal apiece. Neal Zoellick (Homewood, Ill/Homewood-Flossmoor) recorded seven saves in goal.

In the nightcap, Gannon fell behind early and was never able to catch Mercyhurst. The Lakers led 5-3 after one quarter, 9-6 at halftime and 12-9 after three quarters. The home squad iced the victory with a 4-2 edge in the final quarter.

Milburn and Piper produced a pair of hat tricks. Syme and Greg Naranjo (Coral Springs, Fla./Stoneman Douglas) found the back of the net twice each. Nelson also scored a goal. Zoellick turned away 11 shots between the pipes.

Gannon moved its record to 10-10 overall and finished second in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Southern Division with a 6-2 conference mark. Penn State Behrend dropped to 2-12 overall and 1-5 in the CWPA. Mercyhurst improved to 11-2 overall and 8-0 in conference play.

Release courtesy Gannon Athletic Communications