Lions Fall to Mercyhurst; Defeat Salem for First Win

ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend men's water polo team split two games on Saturday.  Behrend lost to Mercyhurst 17-11 before knocking off Salem 15-12 in the night cap.

After falling behind 6-2 in the opening quarter, the Lions (1-2) battled back.  Behrend outscored the Lakers 3-2 in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 8-5 at the break.  Kody Veit (Harleysville, PA / Souderton), Ali Khan (Lake Zurich, IL/Stevenson), and Matthew Johnson (Houston, TX/Cypress Falls) each netted a goal in the second.

With the second half underway, Mercyhurst continued to build on their lead.  The Lakers increased the advantage from three to five by the end of the third.  With under two minutes to play in the game Khan and Victor Nguyen (San Jose, CA/Evergreen Valley) each scored, but it was too little too late with Mercyhurst winning, 17-11.

Khan led the offensive attack with five goals.  Veit contributed two.  Ty Elder (Brentwood, CA/Heritage) made 15 saves in net.

In game two, the Lions and Salem traded goals for the entire opening quarter.  Khan netted Behrend's first two goals with Johnson and Wes Atkinson (Camarillo, CA/Rio Mesa) each chipping in one each.  The game remained close with the Tigers holding onto a slim 7-6 lead at the break.

The Lions outscored Salem by one to tie the game at 9-all entering the fourth.  Behrend scored twice to start the final quarter to regain the lead.  The Tigers were not backing down though.  Salem came right back with two of their own to once again tie the game. 

The turning point of the contest came with under two minutes to play.  The Lions defense clamped down holding the Tigers scoreless as the offense erupted for three straight.  Johnson, Khan, and Adam Glick (Bonita, CA/Bonita Vista) scored three consecutive goals down the stretch to take command and secure the victory.

Once again Khan led Behrend with six more goals.  Veit netted the hat trick with Glick and Johnson each scoring two.  Elder played well in net making nine saves.

The Lions will be back in the water tomorrow at 2 p.m. to host crosstown rival Gannon.