Gannon Stuns Mercyhurst 16-8 to Move Into Fifth Place Game at Southern Championship

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- An eight-goal outburst in the second quarter propelled the Gannon men's water polo team to a 16-8 victory over rival Mercyhurst Saturday evening at the 2009 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Southern Division Championship hosted by Bucknell University.

The victory capped a busy day which saw Gannon win two of three matches and sends the Golden Knights into Sunday's fifth-place match against NCAA Division I George Washington at 12:30 p.m. The decision also snaps an eight-match losing streak against the Lakers dating back to the 2007 season. In the process, the Golden Knights guaranteed their third consecutive winning season and sixth in the program's nine-year history.

Mercyhurst led 3-2 after one quarter, but Gannon exploded for eight goals in the second period and went to halftime with a commanding 10-4 lead. Both teams scored two goals each in the third frame, before the Golden Knights iced the victory with a 4-2 advantage in the final eight minutes.

Greg Nelson (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) headlined the Gannon victory with five goals, giving him 13 scores in four matches this weekend. Michael Piper (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake) also recorded a hat trick.

Jamison Anton (North Wales, Pa./North Penn), Stephen Espinet (Port of Spain, Trinidad/Maple Leaf) and Kenny Milburn (Camp Hill, Pa./Cumberland Valley) found the back of the net twice each.

John Krakowski (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) and Greg Naranjo (Coral Springs, Fla./Stoneman Douglas) added one goal apiece. Neal Zoellick (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) had arguably his best performance of the weekend in goal, turning away nine shots.

Gannon improved to 13-11 overall while Mercyhurst dropped to 12-6. The Golden Knights conclude play at the CWPA Southern Division Championship Sunday, November 8 against NCAA Division I George Washington in the fifth-place match. Game time is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

Release courtesy Gannon Athletic Communications