Sept. 19, 2007

Erie, Pa. - Following a 9-8 upset victory over No. 18-ranked Redlands, the Mercyhurst men's water polo team earned its highest-ever ranking in the Collegiate Water Polo Association Top 10 Poll. The poll, released Wednesday, placed the Lakers eighth overall.

The Lakers, now 4-4 on the season, moved into the top 10 for the second time this season. With 49 points, Mercyhurst ranked ahead of Harvard and MIT. The No. 8 ranking is highest in program history, topping the No. 9 ranking the team earned one year ago.

Three of Mercyhurst's four losses have come against teams ranked in the national Men's Varsity Top 20 Poll. Bucknell and Princeton are ranked 11th and 16th respectively, and California Baptist jumped a spot to No. 18. California Lutheran is also receiving votes after edging the Lakers 8-7 on Sept. 13.

Mercyhurst's overtime win over Redlands (ranked No. 19 in this week's poll) snapped a four-game skid and improved the team's record to 2-0 in overtime games this season.

Mercyhurst is led by a balanced scoring attack that boasts five players with at least 10 goals. Junior Alex Perry leads the team with 13 goals. Junior Kevin Riordan is the team leader in points with 20, as he has totaled 11 goals and nine assists on the year.

The Lakers square off against rival Gannon on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.