Scots' Water Polo Closing the Gap

Monmouth, IL (10/13/2019) — Readying for the Division III Championships at the end of October, the Monmouth College men's water polo team closed the gap at their four-team, six-game Fall Break weekend home tournament.

The Scots turned in their best effort of the weekend in the final match, a 17-12 Sunday loss to Gannon, the closest contest of the season. Monmouth matched the Golden Knights goal-for-goal in the first quarter, pulling even at 4-4 on Tommy Schneider's goal with two seconds left in the frame, his second goal of the opening quarter. Gannon inched ahead in the second eight minutes to take an 8-6 halftime lead and posted a 7-2 advantage in third quarter run to pull away, offsetting a 17-save effort - 11 in the second half - by Kyle Jones and a four-goal game by freshman Kaveh Moaddelli.

Facing McKendree University for the second time this season in Saturday's second match, the Fighting Scots had the same outcome, but closed the margin in a 21-6 loss to the Bearcats. Monmouth drew the first score on Moaddeli's goal less than a minute into the contest. McKendree quickly countered with five unanswered scores to take a 5-2 lead at the end of the first period. The visitors followed with a 6-0 advantage in the second quarter for an 11-2 halftime edge. The Scots rallied in the third quarter with a four-goal effort - two by Jesus Aguirre on his way to a team-high three goals - but couldn't erase the deficit.

The Scots had opened Saturday's play racing out to a 3-0 lead over Mercyhurst before falling in a 20-12 shootout. The Lakers climbed back to take a 4-3 lead at the end of the first quarter and gradually increased the lead to 8-5 before Moaddeli's goal with 1:57 left in the first half cut the margin to 8-6. Mercyhurst held the Scots back in the second half despite Aguirre leading six different Scots scoring in the game with three tallies.

Monmouth travels to Bridgeville, Pa., Oct. 26-27 for the Division III Championships hosted by Washington and Jefferson College.

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