Men's Water Polo | September 21, 2019
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Men's water polo had one of its most successful days in team history when it recorded wins over Mercyhurst and Washington & Jefferson on Saturday. The 2-0 start to the Bucknell Invite marks only the second time that the team has tallied multiple victories in a day. Junior
Cole Strohson was a major force over the pair of contests, accounting for a third of La Salle's offensive output by scoring eight times.
La Salle 12, Mercyhurst 8
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The two teams traded goals twice to begin the quarter locked at 2-2. Freshman Derek Allen broke the deadlock off of an assist by junior Daniel Domotor and La Salle had a lead after one period of play.
- Mercyhurst opened the second frame with a pair of goals to retake the lead, but La Salle responded in kind through Strohson and classmate Ash Lyne. The Lakers would tie the game again, and again the Explorers would score—this time via sophomore Tyler Williams—and head into the half with a one-goal lead.
- The second half began with a test of La Salle's resolve, one that it would answer emphatically. Mercyhurst scored twice to retake the lead, but four-straight goals from the Explorers meant that the Blue & Gold had a 10-7 advantage after three.
- In the fourth, senior Derek DeFusco got on the board and put La Salle up by four. That lead proved to be decisive as La Salle emerged victorious.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- A tale of two halves: the Explorers held a slim 6-5 advantage after two quarters, but battened down defensively afterwards while maintaining consistency on the offensive end. They outscored Mercyhurst 6-3 over the third and fourth.
- Strohson strong: La Salle's number four struck for six goals in this game. Williams was the other Explorer with a multi-goal game, netting twice.
- Domotor and sophomore Josh Delillo were the joint-top providers in this game with each player assisting twice.
- Senior Luke Weachter had a solid overall game: scoring once, assisting another, tallying a field block and tallying a team-high four exclusions earned.
- Freshman goalkeeper Adriano Zunino had a stellar game in net, recording eight saves on ten shots.
La Salle 12, Washington & Jefferson 5
HOW IT HAPPENED
- La Salle jumped out of the gates with a 5-2 lead after the first quarter. They then extended that advantage with three scores in the second period, simultaneously shutting out the presidents in that quarter.
- With a solid 8-2 lead through the first half, the Explorers were in cruise control and split the third 1-1. They then closed out the game with emphasis by outscoring their opponents 3-2, capping a dominant win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Freshman Callin Chimilar was La Salle's top goal scorer in this match with a hattrick to his name. Meanwhile, Strohson and Waechter were again on the board as each recorded a brace.
- Delillo had a strong contest overall by scoring once, assisting another, tallying two steals and one block.
- Domotor was again joint-top provider in this match with two assists; he was joined by senior Joey DeFusco with two as well.
- Kicking them out: four Explorers tallied multiple exclusions earned, led by Strohson with three and followed by Allen, Waechter and sophomore Robert Greene all on two.
- Zunino again had a fantastic show between the posts with six saves on eight shots. He split time with junior Cameron Schiable who also played well, recording four saves on seven shots, while also picking up an assist and a steal.
UP NEXT
- The Explorers will aim for continued success on Sunday as they take on a pair of conference rivals in Fordham and #13 Bucknell.
