ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The sixth-seeded George Washington men's water polo team held a 5-3 lead at halftime, but allowed fifth-seeded Mercyhurst College to grab a lead in the fourth quarter and fell to the Lakers in the fifth-place game of the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Southern Division Championship Sunday at the United States Naval Academy.

Freshman Nate Little led the Colonials with five goals and fellow rookies Paul Deasey (two goals) and Luke Carrino (one) added the other three goals in the team's 2010 season finale.

Sophomore goalkeeper Cameron Illes made 10 saves and the Colonials converted 7-of-11 man-up chances, but managed just one goal in even-strength situations.

GW finishes the 2010 season with a 9-20 overall record and is slated to return 11 of its 12 letterwinners for 2011.

Release courtesy George Washington Athletic Communications