ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The La Salle men's water polo team made its debut Saturday at the Navy Open. The team, made up of mostly freshmen and first-year players, played twice on the first day of the tournament and fell short in both games.

The first contest pitted the Explorers against McKendree. Jeff Brady and Alex Pitcher each netted two goals, but La Salle came up short, 18-6. Joey DeFusco and Robert Wilson also found the back of the net.

Brady picked up where he left off, scoring three more times in the afternoon game against Fordham. DeFusco also lit the lamp again with his second goal of the day. Ultimately, La Salle fell 23-5 to the Rams, who had been ranked fifth in the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference preseason rankings.

In goal, Owain Llewellyn made ten saves combined between the two games.

The Navy Open continues tomorrow with two more games for the Explorers. The Blue and Gold play the host, Navy, at 8 AM before rounding out the tournament with Caltech at noon.