ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Gannon University men’s water polo team lost a tightly contested match to close out play on Saturday at the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Southern Division Championship, falling to George Washington University 8-7. 

George Washington slowly built a lead and Gannon was unable to complete the comback effort. The Colonials scored twice in each of the first two quarters while the Golden Knights managed just one goal in each to trail 4-2 at the half. 

George Washington increased the lead to three by out-scoring Gannon 3-2 in the third. The Golden Knights fought for the comeback in the final eight minutes scoring three times, but fell just short as George Washington scored once to earn the 8-7 win. 

Gio Martino (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) continued an explosive day on offense, scoring his 11th goal of the day. Daisuke Takagi (Tsukuba, Japan/Namiki) and Mark Krolikiewicz (Elmhurst, Ill./York High School) each scored twice. 

Goalkeeper Neal Zoellick (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) had a season-high 11 blocks in the match. 

Gannon is now 10-10 on the season and will take on the loser of the Washintgon & Jefferson College-Mercyhurst College match tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the seventh place match.

Release courtesy Gannon Athletic Communications