Anapolis, Md. - Facing a pair of Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) top-ten teams to open the season, the Gannon men's water polo suffered a pair of losses during the opening day of the U.S. Naval Academy Tournament. The Golden Knights dropped a 21-7 loss to Iona, who ranks 10th in the CWPA. The following match saw Gannon lose 25-5 to host Navy, who ranks second in the CWPA and 14th nationally.
Gannon had its highest scoring quarter of the day in the first quarter against Iona as the Golden Knights tallied three scores. However, Iona netted six tries in each of the first two periods to hold a 12-5 lead at the half.
Gannon managed just two second-half scores while the Gaels put away nine goals.
Nathan Bean (Houston, Tx. / Cypress Creek),
Kyle Lazenby (Fairview, Pa. / McDowell), and
Cody Sherman (Erie, Pa. / McDowell) each added two goals while
Daisuke Takagi Tsukuba, (Japan / Namiki) added one. Goalie
Neal Zoellick (Homewood, Ill. / Homewood-Flossmoor) made two saves.
The second match of the day also saw the Golden Knights struggle offensively as the host institution went on to earn a 25-5 win. The Midshipmen exploded for seven goals in the first quarter compared to just two scores for Gannon. The Golden Knights added one score in each of the next three quarters while Navy added three, eight and seven respectively.
Bean led the offense, scoring three of the Golden Knights' five scores.
Ben Feasley (Takoma Park, Md. / Montgomery Blair), and Takagi each added one goal. Zoellick made seven stops in net.
The setbacks moved Gannon to 0-2 on the season while Navy and Iona each picked up wins in the first contests of the season. Tournament action for the Golden Knights will continue Sunday, September 2 with Gannon facing Johns Hopkins at 2:10 p.m. and George Washington at 5:50 p.m.
Gannon Men's Water Polo Box Score
Gannon vs. Iona
Saturday, September 1
Team (1st - 2nd - 3rd - 4th – Final)
Gannon (3 - 2 - 2 - 0 - 7)
Iona (6 - 6 - 4 - 5 - 21)
Gannon Goals (7)
Nathan Bean (2)
Kyle Lazenby (2)
Cody Sherman (2)
Daisuke Takagi (1)
Gannon Saves
Neal Zoellick - 2
Records
Gannon: 0-1
Iona: 1-0
Gannon Men's Water Polo Box Score
Gannon vs. Navy
Saturday, September 1
Team (1st - 2nd - 3rd - 4th – Final)
Gannon (2 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 5)
Navy (7 - 3 - 8 - 7 - 25)
Gannon Goals (5)
Nathan Bean (3)
Ben Feasley (1)
Daisuke Takagi (1)
Gannon Saves
Neal Zoellick (7)
Records
Gannon: 0-2
Navy: 1-0
