EMMITSBURG, Md. (September 18, 2021) – Mount St. Mary's men's water polo rebounded from a difficult first half of play to the St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers during day one of the Bucknell Invitational. After building some momentum in the second half, the Mountaineers rallied to take the nightcap against Mercyhurst.
Eli Thalos registered multi-goal games in both contests, but
Jason O'Donnell wound up leading the day in goals again. Limited to one goal in the opener, O'Donnell countered with seven in the evening game. Goalkeeper
Marko Kruska finished the day with 22 saves including denial of 10 out of 16 shots on goal during the Mount's victory.
Against the Terriers, the Mountaineers mustered a single first half goal, coming from Thalos in the second quarter. Down 10 at half, Mount St. Mary's battled in the third and fourth quarters. Using goals from several contributors such as
Kacper Cieplik's first goal of the year, the Mount hung tough until the late Terrier surge moved the margin to 15.
Michael Lemishko scored first against the Lakers in game two and the 1-0 lead lasted several minutes until Mercyhurst forced to tie. With seconds left, O'Donnell drew a penalty that gave the Mount the advantage after one. Mercyhurst grabbed a 4-3 edge in the second, but the Mount put together a 3-0 run to lead 6-4 at the break.
The third quarter gave Mount St. Mary's the upper hand as O'Donnell scored four of the team's six goals as the led 12-6 by quarter's end. Defense kept that lead intact by pitching a shutout during the final eight minutes.
Mount St. Mary's stands at 3-6 as they challenge Salem and Fordham Sunday (Sept. 19).
St. Francis Brooklyn 21, Mount St. Mary's 6
Team 1 2 3 4
Mount St. Mary's 0 1 2 3
St. Francis Brooklyn 5 6 4 6
Mount St. Mary's Goals: Thalos 2, Hoy 1, O'Donnell 1, Horan 1, Cieplik 1
Mount St. Mary's 13, Mercyhurst 6
Team 1 2 3 4
Mount St. Mary's 2 4 6 1
Mercyhurst 1 3 2 0
Mount St. Mary's Goals: O'Donnell 7, Thalos 2, Lemishko 1, Horan 1, McNeal-Villafana 1, Fischer 1
