Courtesy: Mount Athletics
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (January 23, 2021) – Mount St. Mary’s men’s water polo got their first experience playing games Saturday, squaring off in a back-to-back doubleheader at the Aquatic Center at Mylan Park. Despite falling twice to Gannon and Salem, the team found the back of the net 18 times.
Gannon 26, Mount St. Mary’s 5
An experienced water polo squad with a large number of players gave the Mountaineers a rude awakening to the circuit. The Golden Knights took charge of the game in the first half, building a 15-2 lead over the upstarts at the break.
Eli Thalos led the way with three goals and two assists, with Marko Kruska adding two goals. Normally a goalkeeper, Kruska played the field while Joseph Maxson played in goal. Seth Johnson of Gannon tallied five goals for a game-high.
Kruska earned the first goal in Mount St. Mary’s history, scoring with 2:37 left in the first quarter.
Salem 26, Mount St. Mary’s 13 (Exhibition)
The Tigers arrived with a limited roster, so the sides played an exhibition instead of an official contest.
Thalos added four goals while Kruska supplied three. Ben Dable also scored three times, and Will Twizell, Jason Fitch and Matthew Schwanke chipped in a goal. Joseph Maxson finished with nine saves.
Standing at 0-1, Mount St. Mary’s will now look forward to hosting their inaugural home games, scheduled for February 6th. Mercyhurst will be first challenger at 10 a.m., followed by a 6 p.m. rematch with Gannon. The games will kick off Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference action.
