Lions Fall Twice on Senior Day

ERIE, Pa. – On senior day, the Penn State Behrend men's water polo team dropped a pair of games to Monmouth and Gannon. In the first game of the day, Monmouth edged the Lions 11-10 in a thrilling back and forth contest. Game two featured a battle of two Erie schools. Gannon won the contest, 16-10.

Senior Justin Vink (Los Angeles, CA/Granada Hills Charter) shined against Monmouth drilling five goals in the back and forth match-up. The Lions (2-14) and Monmouth (3-5) traded goals all game resulting in three lead changes and four separate tied scores. Behrend took a 7-6 lead to halftime after falling behind 2-0 early in the first period.

Only one goal was scored in the third period, knotting the score up at seven heading into the final frame. Monmouth netted four goals in the fourth period to claim the victory.

Ty Elder broke the career steals record in the game eclipsing Vincet Brewer's previous mark of 139.

Nick Pabich (Lake Forest, IL/Lake Forest) chipped in a crucial fourth period goal to get Behrend within one with just 1:43 left to play. Matthew Johnson (Houston, TX/Cypress Falls) scored twice along with Carson Williamson (Stockton, CA/Franklin-Stagg) and Hasan Khan (Lake Zurich, IL/Stevenson) contributing a goal each.

In the second leg of the double-header, Gannon (5-6) knocked off the Lions in a very physical battle. Gannon jumped out to an early lead and was able to sustain the lead throughout the game. Behrend made several attempts to come back, but could not cap off the strong effort with a victory.

Following Vink's strong performance in game one, senior Matthew Johnson knocked in five goals of his own giving him seven for the day. Victor Nguyen, (San Jose, CA/Evergreen Valley) Vink, Pabich, Williamson and Troy Valkusky (Drifton, PA/Hazleton) all scored once each. Seniors Justin Vink and Matthew Johnson scored a combined 13 goals to lead Behrend on senior day.

The Lions travel to Mercyhurst tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.