LEBANON, Ill. — Already guaranteed the 2018 Division II Eastern Championship crown prior to the opening sprint, the Gannon University men’s water polo team put to rest any doubts about the tournament champion by topping Mercyhurst University, 11-6, on the final day of the event at McKendree University.
The Golden Knights previously topped McKendree (10-6 W) and Salem University (17-6) on Saturday, October 13, to lock-up the tournament title via head-to-head wins over the two teams that potentially could tie Gannon at 2-1 in the division standings with a Mercyhurst victory.
The title marks Gannon’s third overall and second consecutive Division II Eastern crown as Queens College (2003, 2010), Salem (2004), Slippery Rock University (2005), Mercyhurst (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016) and Gannon (2014, 2017) have previously taken the championship crown.
“It was a great team effort,” said Gannon head coach Sean Morphy. “A lot of contributors from our seniors down to our freshman. We needed everyone to step up this weekend and they all did.”
Gannon and Mercyhurst traded goals to start the game resulting in a 1-1 tie at the end of the first quarter.
A second quarter powerplay tally for Thomas Squeglia (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) was set up off an assist from Robert Bolmanski (Erie, Pa./McDowell) as Gannon took a 2-1 lead.
The Golden Knights outscored Mercyhurst 3-1 in the second quarter to expand its lead to 4-2 at the half.
Mercyhurst opened the second half with two of the first three goals, but Gannon countered with three of the last four goals to end the third quarter. David Gaillion (Fr., Arlington, Va./Home School), Jake Rehrer (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills) and John Viera (Fr., Erie, Pa/Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy (McDowell)) all scored for the Golden Knights.
Gannon picked up right where it left off, scoring the first three goals of the final quarter to take an 11-5 lead. Mercyhurst scored a late tally to bring the final score to 11-6.
Thomas Squeglia notched three goals for the Golden Knights, while Bolmanksi handed out four assists. Riley Hinkley (Meshoppen, Pa./Princeton) scored a goal and added three steals.
Gannon held a 31-26 edge in overall shots with Brett Rehrer (Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills) making 10 saves in goal on the other end of the tank in claiming the win.
Information courtesy Gannon University Athletics Communications
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