ERIE, Pa. – Andre Sardaryzadeh (Murrieta, CA/Elsinore) led the Penn State Behrend men's water polo team to an 11-8 victory over Mt. San Antonio on Friday night. Sardaryzadeh tallied four goals and an assist during tonight's match.
Matt Olimski (San Diego, CA/Otay Ranch) had five saves in the first quarter, including a big penalty shot save in the late fourth quarter to help Behrend secure its third win of the season.
The Lions (3-2) controlled most of the play early against the Mounties (9-3) in this non-conference contest jumping to a 6-1 lead midway through the second.
Bruce Bursiek (Houston, TX/Cy-Fair High School) got the Lions on the board with a quick first possession goal from a well-placed skip shot goal underneath the goalie's hand.
Less than 20 seconds later, Mark Ercolani (North Wales, PA/North Penn) threw in a rebound goal coming bounced back to him from a save made by goalie, giving Behrend a 2-0 lead early.
Grant Garcia (Kingsburg, CA/Kingsburg) and Trop Valkusky (Drifton, PA/Hazleton) each notched a goal 39 seconds apart to help Behrend tally the first four goals in the opening quarter. The Mounties would go on to a score late to bring the score to a 4-1 at the end of the first quarter.
Sardaryzadeh buried three goals in the second quarter, including a tricky behind the back goal from a long pass by Bryce Barnes (Gig Harbor, WA/Gig Harbor). Mt. San Antonio went on 4-1 rally as the quarter ticked down, making the score 7-5 as halftime approached.
The Lions were able to keep the Mounties scoreless in the third quarter while having Isaak Haptopp (Saline, MI/Saline) and Leo Saurez (West Palm Beach, FL/Forest Hill Community) add a goal each to extend the lead to 9-5.
After a hard fought fourth quarter, Mt. San Antonio was able to bring the score within two goals with just over two minutes left, but Garcia ending their run by scoring the cushion goal to help the Lions find their first win at home.
Behrend will be back in action on Saturday when they face Mercyhurst. Game time is set for noon.
