BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – Despite a season-high seven goals from
Nikiforos Liantziris (Athens, Greece/1o EPAL Zografou), matching his career best, and a furious fourth-quarter comeback, the Gannon men's water polo team fell just short against McKendree, 18-17, on Saturday afternoon at The Bridge Sports Complex during the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) West Virginia Showdown.
The Golden Knights trailed by four goals entering the final eight minutes before outscoring the Bearcats 5-2 in the fourth quarter. Liantziris scored three times in the final period, including two goals in the closing three minutes, to bring Gannon within one with 1:27 remaining. However, the Golden Knights were unable to find the equalizer as McKendree held on for the narrow victory.
Gannon dropped to 7-9 overall and 0-2 in WWPA action, while McKendree improved to 8-12 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
THE GAME FACTS
Score: McKendree 18, Gannon 17
Records: Gannon (7-9, 0-2 WWPA), McKendree (8-12, 1-0 WWPA)
Location: The Bridge Sports Complex – Bridgeport, W.Va.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
THE KNIGHT CAP
- Career-High Seven Goals: Liantziris matched his career high with seven goals, tying his previous mark set against Fresno Pacific on Nov. 22, 2024, in the WWPA Championships. The Golden Knights won that contest 11-7. Liantziris also added one assist against McKendree for a team-high eight points, scoring in all four quarters, including three times in the fourth. He finished with 12 shots.
- Even Opening Quarter: Gannon and McKendree traded goals throughout the opening eight minutes. Rajmund Farsang (Eger, Hungary/Neumann Janos Gimnazium) opened the scoring on a penalty shot before Liantziris and Nikita Rudoi (Sabadel, Spain/Jaume Viladoms) added goals. McKendree answered with a late goal to send the teams into the second quarter tied at 3-3.
- Second-Quarter Struggles: McKendree took control in the second period, outscoring Gannon 8-4 to build an 11-7 halftime advantage. The Bearcats opened the quarter with three unanswered goals before the Golden Knights responded with four goals from Giacomo Peretti (Verona, Italy/Liceo G. Fracastoro), Farsang and Liantziris, who scored twice.
- Third-Quarter Battle: Both teams scored five goals in the third quarter as McKendree maintained its four-goal advantage. Liantziris scored twice, while Peretti, Farsang and Nick Thompson (Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville) each found the back of the net. The Bearcats carried a 16-12 lead into the final eight minutes.
- Late Comeback Attempt: After McKendree extended its lead to 17-12 early in the fourth quarter, Gannon responded with goals from Petar Markovic (Belgrade, Serbia/Sports High School of Belgrade) and Victor Volant (Fuveau, France/Font d'Aurumy). The Bearcats pushed their lead to 18-14 with 3:43 remaining before Liantziris converted a penalty shot and Volant followed with another goal. Liantziris scored again with 1:27 remaining to cut the deficit to 18-17, but Gannon was unable to complete the comeback.
- Seven-Goal Performance: Liantziris led the Golden Knights with seven goals and one assist for a team-high eight points. He scored in all four quarters, including three times in the fourth, and finished with 12 shots.
- Farsang Adds Hat Trick: Farsang finished with three goals on eight shots, scoring once in each of the first three quarters.
- Balanced Offensive Effort: Volant and Peretti contributed two goals apiece, while Markovic, Rudoi and Thompson each added one. Peretti also recorded an assist to finish with three points.
- Shot Advantage: Gannon outshot McKendree 42-31 and recorded 17 goals from seven different players. The Golden Knights finished with four assists and four steals while winning three of the four sprint opportunities.
- Defensive Effort: Djordje Stefanovic (Belgrade, Serbia/Gimnazija Patrijarh Pavle) played all 32 minutes in goal and recorded five saves. Michael McGarry (Erie, Pa./McDowell) led the Golden Knights with two steals, while Markovic, Stefanovic and Liantziris each added one.
Up Next
Gannon concludes the WWPA West Virginia Showdown on Sunday, Oct. 25, when the Golden Knights face Erie rival Mercyhurst at The Bridge Sports Complex in Bridgeport, W.Va. The contest is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.
This story was written using the support of AI.
