EMMITSBURG, Md. (February 6, 2021) – Mount St. Mary's men's water polo won their first game in program history Saturday, defeating Mercyhurst on the back end of a doubleheader at the ARCC Swimming Pool. Earlier in the day, the squad lost to Gannon in the team's home debut.
 
In his first action with the Mount, Jason O'Donnell led the team with nine goals. Brock Cudahy and Kacper Cieplik earned their first goals as collegiate player, and Eli Thalos and Jason Fitch both registered their first official goals, having previously scored in exhibitions.  
 
Gannon 22, Mount St. Mary's 10
 
The Mount was ready for the rematch with the Golden Knights, evidenced at the opening of play. O'Donnell scored three goals out of four, and the defense kept Gannon in check, leading to a 5-4 score in favor of the visitors by quarter's end.
 
The tide turned in the second quarter when O'Donnell picked up his third exclusion with 3:32 in the half. His confinement to the bench inhibited the Mount after that, as Gannon would score 15 goals to four the rest of the way.
 
Goals by Cudahy, Marko Kruska and Fitch closed the deficit down to six, but Gannon called a timeout to reset before tallying six unanswered to ice the game.
 
SCOREBOARD                   1             2             3             4             FINAL
Gannon                               5             5             5             7             22
Mount St. Mary's             4             2             1             3             10
 
Gannon Goals: Hamp 5, Mickic 4, Johnson 3, Seguglia 3, Vieira 2, Baer 2, Kaverman 1, Koelling 1, Bolmenski 1
 
Mount St. Mary's Goals: O'Donnell 5, Cudahy 1, Thalos 1, Kruska 1, Cieplik 1, Fitch 1
 
Mount St. Mary's 10, Mercyhurst 7
 
Undeterred by the finish of the opener, the Mount battled to a 3-3 tie against the Lakers, using goals by Cudahy, Cieplik and O'Donnell to draw level. Great defense by both sides kept the contest deadlocked at three going into the half.
 
The Mount gained control of the opening possession and cashed in with Thalos scored. He would put another shot home in an extra man opportunity a minute later. When the Lakers stormed back to tie, O'Donnell countered with a pair of goals.
 
Leading 8-6 entering the fourth quarter, the home team seized momentum by drawing a penalty shot, which O'Donnell finished off with ease. A final goal by Cieplik with 1:21 put the game out of reach.
 
SCOREBOARD                   1             2             3             4             FINAL
Mercyhurst                        3             0             3             1             7
Mount St. Mary's            3             0             5             2             10
 
Mercyhurst Goals: Kagen 2, Miller 2, Parnell 1, Cumby 1, Tanner 1
 
Mount St. Mary's Goals: O'Donnell 4, Cudahy 2, Thalos 2, Cieplik 2
 
Next Up
 
Mount St. Mary's is scheduled to challenge Washington & Jefferson, McKendree and host Salem in Morgantown on February 13^th and 14^th.