With a current record of 9-0, the Gannon University men’s water polo team is off to its hottest start to a season in years.
The Knights traveled to New London, Conn., over the weekend, where they swept past all three of their opponents in a tournament hosted by Connecticut College.
In the first game Saturday, Gannon made quick work of host Connecticut College in a 20-8 victory. Sophomore Lucas Petzold and freshman Drago Marjanovic led the scoring with five goals each in what was the team’s highest-scoring game so far this season.
Eight different players managed at least a goal for the Knights.
Saturday’s second game would start just a short time after the first ended, and it proved to be a much different contest.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) jumped to a 4-0 lead and at one time led 5-1. However, the Knights were able to rally and pull ahead 10-9 on Thomas Squeglia’s goal with 32 seconds remaining in the game. It was Squeglia’s third goal of the game.
Gannon senior Jake Rehrer had high praise for his teammates, including his brother, Brett, who made 15 saves in goal for the Knights.
“Brett really saved us in that game by coming up with some clutch saves,” Jake Rehrer said. “All around, the team was fantastic at not being fazed by the score but instead by playing our type of game and making the opponent play us and not the other way around.
After a 2-0 start to the weekend, coach Sean Morphy’s team faced its toughest opponent so far on the season in Californian Lutheran University. This game saw some great back-and-forth action, but the Knights prevailed in a 9-8 win.
Gannon jumped to a quick 2-0 start thanks to goals by Jake Rehrer and Sadikovic. From there the teams traded goals back-and-forth throughout the second period, and going into the second half, Gannon led 5-4.
The Knights were able to get a similar start to the second half with goals by Sadikovic and Squeglia. From there the team was able to slow down the Kingsmen and leave them trailing for the rest of the game.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Gannon will travel to West Virginia, this time for the MAWPC Tournament, hosted by Salem University.
The Knights will play Washington & Jefferson College on Friday and then battle Monmouth College and McKendree University Saturday. Jake Rehrer said he and his teammates are looking forward to more competition.

MATT NEWARA
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