The McKendree University men's water polo team captured the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) Western Region title with a 21-8 triumph over No. 2 seed Gannon University on Sunday afternoon.
 
Gannon quickly recorded a goal in the first quarter, but the Bearcats didn't hesitate to answer back with three consecutive goals. The first two were shot by Nico Rodriguez (Bogota, Columbia/Oviedo) and the third was by Matthew Haygood (Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills). The Knights countered back but the Bearcats proceeded to find the back of the net. Andrew Serrano (Riverside, CA/Martin Luther King) recorded a goal and Haygood scored twice. Gannon scored again in the last couple seconds, ending the first quarter 6-3.
 
The Bearcats held the Knights to only one goal during the second quarter. Michael Rojas () and Haygood each netted a goal for McKendree as they held an 8-4 lead into halftime.
 
Once again, the Bearcats played strong defensively, holding the Knights to only two goals. Meanwhile, McKendree swept the field, scoring seven times. Abraham Allen (Webster Groves, MO/Webster Groves) and Rodriguez each contributed two goals and teammates Josh Carlson (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln Way West), Serrano, and Haygood scored once. The Bearcats carried a 15-6 lead into the final period.
 
Rodriguez threw in two more goals to extend the lead. Then Pedro Osorio (San Bernardino, CA/Cajon), Tristen Clue (Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills), Serrano, and Haygood each found the back of the cage to secure the 21-8 win over Gannon University.
 
In the cage, Ori Scanlon (Orlando, FL/Olympia) made 10 out of 18 saves for the Bearcat win.
 
*Haygood was awarded MVP of the match for his outstanding performance.
 
This win qualifies McKendree for the Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship, hosted by the Naval Academy on March 6^th & 7^th.