ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Gannon men's water polo team opened its season by splitting two matches Saturday afternoon at the U.S. Naval Academy Tournament. The Golden Knights began the day with a 16-8 victory against Queens (N.Y.), before falling to NCAA Division I Bucknell 13-4.
In the opener, Gannon jumped out to a 6-3 edge after one quarter. The lead stretch to 10-3 at halftime after the Golden Knights posted a 4-0 shutout in the second frame. Queens battled within 12-7 after three quarters, before Gannon earned a 4-1 advantage in the fourth quarter to account for the 16-8 victory.
John Krakowski (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) led the Gannon attack with five goals.
Michael Piper (Houston, Texas/Clear Lake) also recorded a hat trick with three scores.
Greg Naranjo (Coral Springs, Fla./Stoneman Douglas) found the back of the net twice.
Greg Nelson (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor),
Kyle Kuser (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson),
Dmitriy Simonoff (Vernon Hills, Ill./Stevenson),
Jamison Anton (North Wales, Pa./North Penn), and
Stephen Espinet (Port of Spain, Trinidad/Maple Leaf) completed the scoring with one goal each.
Neal Zoellick (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) recorded 14 saves in goal.
In the nightcap, Bucknell jumped out to a 4-1 lead after one quarter and extended the advantage to 6-1 at halftime. The Bison ended the third period with a 9-3 lead, before posting a 13-4 victory.
Simonoff was Gannon's high scorer with two goals. Piper and Naranjo added one goal each. Zoellick had seven saves between the pipes.
Gannon moved to 1-1 with Saturday's season-opening split. Queens dropped to 0-1 while Bucknell improved to 1-1. The Golden Knights conclude play at the U.S. Naval Academy Tournament Sunday, September 6 against Iona (7:40 a.m.) and the U.S. Naval Academy (1:30 p.m.).
Gannon Men's Water Polo Box Score
U.S. Naval Academy Tournament
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Team (1st - 2nd - 3rd - 4th - Final)
Gannon (6 - 4 - 2 - 4 - 16)
Queens (N.Y.) (3 - 0 - 4 - 1 - 8)
Gannon Goals (16)
John Krakowski (5)
Michael Piper (3)
Greg Naranjo (2)
Greg Nelson (1)
Kyle Kuser (1)
Dmitriy Simonoff (1)
Jamison Anton (1)
Stephen Espinet (1)
Not available (1)
Gannon Goalkeeper
Neal Zoellick - 14 saves
Queens (N.Y.) (8)
Not available
Records
Gannon 1-0 overall
Queens (N.Y.) 0-1 overall
Gannon Men's Water Polo Box Score
U.S. Naval Academy Tournament
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Team (1st - 2nd - 3rd - 4th - Final)
Gannon (1 - 0 - 2 - 1 - 4)
Bucknell (4 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 13)
Gannon Goals (4)
Dmitriy Simonoff (2)
Michael Piper (1)
Greg Naranjo (1)
Gannon Goalkeeper
Neal Zoellick - 7 saves
Bucknell (13)
Richie Hyden (4)
Sean Coghlan (2)
Spencer Richley (2)
Howie Kalter (2)
Andrew Nelson (1)
Randy Ang (1)
Brian Barron (1)
Records
Gannon 1-1 overall
Bucknell 1-1 overall
