The Gannon University men’s water polo team headed out to Annapolis, Md., to kick off its 2016 campaign at the U.S. Naval Academy Tournament Saturday through Sunday.
The Knights didn’t start out so great, going 0-3 in the first three games, but in the last game of the tournament, Gannon made it click and beat Cerritos College, 11-10, for its first win of the season.
The Knights came out of the gate hot against Cerritos and scored 4 goals in the first quarter and continued that momentum throughout the match.
Goals were scored by freshman Jack Donnelly with two, Gilberto Millan with two, Marko Sadikovic with two, freshman Thomas Squeglia with two, Brett Rehrer with one, senior Michael Squeglia with one and Zarko Sadikovic with one. Rehrer also had 16 blocks in goal.
In the first game, the Knights were up against Iona College and fell, 10-6.
In the first stanza, the Knights and Iona were at a stalemate with a score of 1-1 and both teams added three more goals by the second quarter making the score 4-4. Finally, Iona then scored another three in the third while Gannon scored two more, making the score 7-6. In the last quarter Iona pulled away with three more goals giving the Gaels the 10-6 victory.
Millan led the Knights with two goals and Rehrer was accountable for 12 saves in goal and also collected six steals.
Gannon then took on Navy in its second game of the day, which the Knights also lost by a score of 11-8. Millan led the team with five goals all of which came in the third quarter. The Knights came close with a score of 8-7 in the third with 2 minutes and 39 seconds left on the clock but couldn’t close in on Navy.
Rehrer recorded 20 saves and six more steals. Other goals were scored by junior Kyle Rodewald, Marko Sadikovic and Zarko Sadikovic.
On Sunday, the Knights first took on Fordham University in the first of two games. Against Fordham Gannon lost 13-8.
Marko Sadikovic and junior Nick Williams tied for team high scorer with two goals apiece. Zarko Sadikovic had four steals and Marko Sadikovic earned five kickouts, one short of his career high.
The Knights will attend the Mercyhurst Invitational in Erie, Saturday and Sunday with the first game for Gannon on Saturday at the Cathedral Prep/Villa Maria Events Center at 11 a.m.
BRANDON JACES
