Scoreboard

Tom Marks

Men's Water Polo 10/20/2023 3:32:00 PM Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Kotskar Scores Four Goals, Marco Strong in Goal in Loss at Biola

LA MIRADA, Calif. -- The Gannon men's water polo team wrapped up its two-match swing to sunny California with a match against Biola on Friday morning, California time. While the result was not to first-year head coach's Zarko Sadikovic's liking, with Biola prevailing 12-8, his Golden Knights battled on even terms against a Biola team on the verge of clinching the WWPA West Region title.

Biola jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead with a pair of goals in the first 65 seconds. Alexandros Kotskar (Voula, Greece/Athinaiki Agogh) got the Golden Knights on the board with a goal at 5:23, and his second goal off a feed from goalie Alvaro Marco (Madrid, Spain/IES Ortega y Gasset)s made it 2-2 with 2:51 remaining in the first period. Biola scored late in the first period for a 3-2 lead after eight minutes.

Gannon knotted the score at 3-3 as the Kotskar-Marcos combination struck again at 6:28 with Kotskar scoring his third goal. The Golden Knights grabbed the lead for the first time at the 5:54 mark when Matthew Harkrader found the back of the net. The Eagles tied the score with just over a minute left but Kotskar gave Gannon a 5-4 lead at the half when he took a pass from Ben Fribourg (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) and scored a power play goal with two seconds remaining.

Biola came out and scored the first four goals of the third period to take an 8-5 lead. The Golden Knights ended the run on a Vladimir Mickic (Subotica, Serbia/Nikola Tesla) goal with a minute remaining, with Kotskar picking up the assist. Each team scored once more in the period with Biola heading into the final period leading 9-7. Gannon once again scored in the final seconds courtesy of Mickic, who found the back of the net with three seconds remaining, courtesy of a Fribourg pass.

Gannon was unable to cut into the Eagles' lead in the fourth period. Biola scored twice in the opening two minutes before Seth Johnson (Sugar Hill, Ga./Lanier) scored for Gannon, assisted by Marty Kaverman Jr. (Erie, Pa./McDowell) at 5:15. Unfortunately that was the lone goal the Golden Knights would score in the period, as both defenses took over in the final five minutes.

The Golden Knights were outshot by a wide 47-29 margin but Marco was magnificent in goal, recording 16 saves. He also added two assists. Kotskar led the Gannon attack with four goals and an assist while Mickic scored twice.

Gannon now returns home to host the WWPA Erie Classic on Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29. The tournament gets underway for the Golden Knights with a match against crosstown rival Mercyhurst at 12 noon on Saturday. That will also be Gannon's Senior Day. The Golden Knights play McKendree at 5 p.m. on Saturday and host Salem on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Gannon Goals: Alexandros Kotskar (Voula, Greece/Athinaiki Agogh) 4 goals, 1 assist; Vladimir Mickic (Subotica, Serbia/Nikola Tesla) 2 goals; Seth Johnson (Sugar Hill, Ga./Lanier) 1 goal; Matthew Harkrader 1 goal; Ben Fribourg (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) 2 assists; Alvaro Marco (Madrid, Spain/IES Ortega y Gasset) 2 assists; Marty Kavereman Jr. 1 assist.

Gannon Goalie: Alvaro Marco (Madrid, Spain/IES Ortega y Gasset) – 32 minutes – 12 goals – 16 saves.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Ben Fribourg: A; 6' 0"; Junior

#7 Seth Johnson: C; 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior

#2 Marty Kaverman Jr.: Util; 5' 11"; Redshirt Senior

#10 Alexandros Kotskar: Util.; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#1 Alvaro Marco: GK; 5' 10"; Junior

#6 Vladimir Mickic: C; Senior

Players Mentioned

#5 Ben Fribourg
: 6' 0"; Junior
: A

#7 Seth Johnson
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Senior
: C

#2 Marty Kaverman Jr.
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Senior
: Util

#10 Alexandros Kotskar
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: Util.

#1 Alvaro Marco
: 5' 10"; Junior
: GK

#6 Vladimir Mickic
: Senior
: C