Schonhoff Scores Eight as Lakers Bury Gannon, 16-9 :: Mercyhurst also defeated Salem International on Saturday

Sept. 29, 2007

Erie, Pa. - Four days after suffering an 11-10 conference loss at Gannon, the Mercyhurst men's water polo bounced back in a big way, receiving eight goals from junior Andrew Schonhoff en route to a 16-9 rout over the Golden Knights in their home opener at the Mercyhurst North East Aquatic Center Saturday evening.

Prior to the win over Gannon, the Lakers earned a 13-3 victory over Salem International, giving them two key Collegiate Water Polo Association Southern Division, Western Region victories in one day. The Lakers improved their overall mark to 5-5 and their conference record to 2-1.

Schonhoff, Mercyhurst's all-time leading scorer, was held to just one goal in the first meeting against Gannon on Sept. 25. On Saturday, he not only scored a game-high seven goals, but also registered one assist and three drawn ejections.

Junior Alex Perry also provided an offensive spark, scoring four times and adding two assists. In two games against Gannon this season, Perry has totaled eight goals. Freshman Alex Moggridge, who scored twice against Gannon on Sept. 25, scored four goals, as well.

The Lakers led 4-3 after one quarter and then pulled away with four more in the second to take an 8-4 lead into the half. Gannon chipped into the lead with two goals in the third, but the Lakers buried any chance of a Golden Knight comeback with seven goals in the fourth.

Junior Jorge Montero chipped in three assists and junior Jake Coin provided three steals and two assists.

Mercyhurst's freshman goalie Andy Sekulski played all four quarters and made a career-high 14 saves.

Against Salem, the Lakers received its offensive output from two unexpected sources. Freshmen Ashton Farrell and Nathan Steiner, who together had appeared in just three games this season, scored six and four goals respectively to pace Mercyhurst to a 13-3 win. Steiner also added three assists, and Farrell added three steals.

The three goals allowed were the fewest surrendered by the Lakers this season.

Mercyhurst also used four goalies in the game, with senior Kyle Bogucki earning the start and making three saves in one quarter of action.

The Lakers stay in Erie on Sunday, playing at conference foe Penn State-Behrend at 3:30 p.m.