Men's Water Polo | October 13, 2019

MARYLAND –Men's water polo made history as it recorded its first D-1 win in team history, defeating Navy 10-8 in Annapolis. The result was also its first conference win in the MAWPC East. Later in the day, the team traveled to Baltimore and conceded a close contest to Johns Hopkins, 12-11.
 
La Salle 10, Navy 8
HOW IT HAPPENED

• In a low-scoring first quarter, the home team opened the scoring before La Salle responded through a brace from senior Luke Waechter. 
• A 2-1 Explorers' lead quickly vanished in the second with the Midshipmen striking twice. A back-and-forth ensued with Navy eventually emerging on a two-goal run that pushed its lead to 6-4. Junior Daniel Domotor brought one back to close the gap to one as the half concluded.
• The visitors really found their form coming out of the break and outscored Navy 3-0 in the third. Senior Joey DeFusco and Waechter (twice) tallied for La Salle.
• The Midshipmen brought one back to start the final frame, but the Explorers refused to let them draw even. Goals from Waechter and junior Cole Strohson decisively pushed the game out of reach for Navy.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• La Salle defeated a Navy side that was receiving votes for the national poll most of the season. After being outscored 6-5 in the first half, the Blue & Gold responded by winning the second half 5-2.
• The two goals conceded was the lowest amount La Salle had allowed in the second half all season.
• Career days: Waechter set a new personal best with six goals against the Midshipmen, while freshman Adriano Zunino's nine saves was his highest total yet.
• Zunino's record amount of saves came on 17 shots for a .529 save percentage.
• Junior Cole Strohson made his mark on the defensive end with game-highs in exclusions earned (four) and steals (three). He also added a goal, assists and block.

 
Johns Hopkins 12, La Salle 11
HOW IT HAPPENED

• La Salle opened the scoring through sophomore Tyler Williams and the Blue Jays answered with two strikes. Senior Jeff Brady responded for the Explorers, but three more for the home side put the score at 5-2. Domotor struck to close the gap to two.
• Three unanswered for Johns Hopkins opened the game up, quickly retaliated by Williams with two scores. Domotor netted twice between a Blue Jays score to make it 9-7 for the home side at the half.
• Although Johns Hopkins began the third with a goal, three straight from La Salle tied the game at 10-10 heading into the decisive quarter.
• The Blue Jays edged ahead and DeFusco re-tied the game. A goal from the hosts with 3:22 remaining turned out to be the game-winner for Johns Hopkins.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Williams and Domotor netted hattricks in the game, while DeFusco added a brace.
• DeFusco made his biggest impact as provider in this match with three assists, followed by junior Ash Lyne with two dishes.
• Strohson recorded his second straight game with four exclusions earned, and again added a goal and a block to his stat line.
• Zunino had his second strong game in net with eight saves on 14 shots for a .571 save percentage.

UP NEXT

• The Blue & Gold takes a trip to Harvard next weekend. It faces St. Francis Brooklyn and Brown on Saturday, then Pomona-Pitzer and Harvard on Sunday.