(MONMOUTH, Ill., Oct. 28) – The McKendree University men's water polo team fell in both of its contests today. McKendree's first game was against Salem International University at 1:30 p.m., with the Bearcats falling 22-13 to the Tigers. McKendree played again at 5 p.m. against Mercyhurst University, falling to the Lakers by a score of 14-13.
 
The Bearcats fall to 4-16 on the season, with Saturday's games. McKendree closes out the regular season on Sunday, with a contest against Monmouth College at 10:30 a.m. at Pepper Natatorium. Watch the game live HERE.
 
GAME ONE
In the first contest of the day, the Bearcats took on Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) Western region opponent, Salem International University. The Tigers grabbed an early lead over the Bearcats scoring three times before sophomore attacker Robert Esson (Huntington Beach, CA/Huntington Beach High School) could answer. At the close of the first quarter Salem International held an 8-1 lead over McKendree. Both teams netted three goals in the second quarter with one from freshman center Abraham Allen (Webster Groves, MO) and two from sophomore attacker Joseph Mahan (Corinth, TX/John H Guyer High School). The Tigers held an 11-4 lead heading into halftime.
 
Salem International added five goals in the third quarter, as McKendree netted four. The Bearcat's goals came from Allen, freshman utility player Sean Legg (Ottawa, Ontario), and two from sophomore attacker Luc Gregory (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach High School). The Bearcats trailed the Tigers by eight heading into the final quarter. The fourth quarter saw five goals from McKendree, but the Bearcats couldn't hold back the powerful Tigers offense who scored six. The Bearcats received two goals each from Allen and Gregory in the quarter, along with one from Mahan. McKendree came up short in the contest, falling 22-13 to a strong Salem International offense.
 
GAME TWO
The second game of the day for McKendree came against Mercyhurst University. The teams traded goals in the first quarter, with Mahan scoring all three of the Bearcat's goals. At the close of the first quarter McKendree trailed Mercyhurst, 5-3. The second quarter was a defensive battle, with the teams playing stringent defense. McKendree found the back of the Mercyhurst net on a shot by freshman attacker Alex Portnoy (St. Louis, MO/University City ), for the team's lone goal of the quarter. The Lakers scored three times in the quarter holding an 8-4 lead at halftime.
 
McKendree turned up the heat in the second half of the game, allowing just one goal in the third quarter while firing five past the Mercyhurst goalie. The Bearcats received two goals from sophomore attacker Izaya Owotor (Portland, OR/David Douglas High School) and Legg, with Allen adding one. At the close of the third quarter the teams were deadlocked at 9-9. The Bearcats grabbed a two goal lead early in the final quarter, on goals from Allen and Gregory, but the Lakers responded with three of their own. Mahan answered for the Bearcats to tie the game 12-12. Mercyhurst answered with two goals to regain the lead, but Gregory cut the lead down to one. McKendree couldn't score the equalizer, and fell 14-13 to Mercyhurst.