MWP | Gaels Make History with First Two Wins in Program History Over Bucknell and Mercyhurst

Sunday, August 30

San Diego, CA

9:20 AM

Saint Mary's College of California

Bucknell

MWP | Gaels Make History with First Two Wins in Program History Over Bucknell and Mercyhurst

8/30/2026 3:07:00 PM | Men's Water Polo

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — History was made on Sunday as the Saint Mary's men's water polo team closed out the Triton Invitational with the first two wins in program history. The Gaels opened the day with a 12-9 victory over Bucknell and ended the day with a dominant 26-9 win over Mercyhurst to cap off their inaugural weekend of competition.

HOW IT HAPPENED VS. BUCKNELL

The Gaels came ready to compete on the final day of the Triton Invitational. Rocco Di Rosa put Saint Mary's on the board with a skip shot to the lower right corner of the cage after the Gaels earned a 5-meter opportunity. The goals kept coming as the Gaels tallied four more to take a 5-3 lead into the second quarter. The Bison struck first in the second quarter, but Mason Black answered right back for the Gaels. Hachem put together an outstanding first half, striking four times to help give Saint Mary's an 8-5 advantage at the break.

Bucknell scored two goals in the third quarter to cut Saint Mary's lead to just one, but Kyle Stilinovich responded with his first collegiate goal to send Saint Mary's into the final eight minutes with a 9-7 lead. Hachem continued his dominant performance with two more goals in the fourth quarter, while Ethan Klerck delivered the final blow with his second goal of the game to secure the historic 12-9 victory for the Gaels.

HOW IT HAPPENED VS. MERCYHURST

Coming off of the first win in program history, Saint Mary's carried the momentum into its final game of the Triton Invitational against Mercyhurst. The Gaels wasted little time getting the offense going, finding the back of the cage five times to go up 5-1 heading into the second quarter. Hugo Riley got in on the action early with his first collegiate goal, the first of what would become a career-high seven in the game. Saint Mary's offense kept rolling in the second quarter, finding the back of the cage eight times throughout the eight minutes. Freshman Jake Nielsen made his first start in the cage for the Gaels and helped hold Mercyhurst to just three goals in the second quarter. Saint Mary's carried a 13-4 lead headed into the halftime break.

The offense showed no signs of slowing down after the break as Saint Mary's put together its highest-scoring quarter of the weekend with nine goals in the third. Riley and Stilinovich continued the offensive charge as the Gaels built on their advantage before closing out the 26-9 victory. Throughout the contest, the Gaels displayed unselfish play and strong ball movement, showcasing the potential of the young program.

GAME NOTES

Saint Mary's earned the first two wins in program history on Sunday, defeating Bucknell 12-9 and Mercyhurst 26-9.
Saint Mary's was named the AntiWave Team of the Tournament following its inaugural weekend of competition.
Leo Hachem was named the AntiWave MVP of the Tournament after a six-goal game against Bucknell, his highest single-game total of the weekend. Hachem now leads the Gaels with 15 goals in just the opening weekend of competition.
Andrew Donlin, Harry Irwin, and Hugo Riley followed Hachem with seven goals apiece over the six-game weekend.
Hugo Riley recorded his first collegiate goal against Mercyhurst and went on to finish with a game-high seven goals.
Kyle Stilinovich scored his first collegiate goal against Bucknell before adding five goals against Mercyhurst.
Jake Nielsen made his first collegiate start in the cage against Mercyhurst, making multiple saves throughout the game.
Saint Mary's scored 76 goals across its first six games as a program.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Gaels will return to Moraga for another historic first as they host Whittier in the program's inaugural home game on Sunday, September 6 at 11 a.m. at the Soda Aquatic Center. Tickets are available at smcgaels.com and the game can be streamed live on ESPN+.

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