ERIE, PA - Behind an eight-goal performance in the third period, Connecticut College held-on to defeat Salem International 19-15 in MWPC Western Region Championships on Saturday night (Nov. 5) in men's collegiate water polo action.

The Tigers (8-14) will look to advance to the MWPC Championships which will be hosted by Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, November 18-20.

Salem International would come right out of the gates and score five times in the first period to take a 5-2 advantage over Connecticut. Sophomore Mateo Kozomara tallied a pair of goals in the period for SIU.

Connecticut would take control of the second period, outscoring the Tigers 6-4. Salem would take a slim 9-8 lead into the break.

Junior Djordje Stavrevski and freshman Robert Juhas would each score twice in the third period, but five different Connecticut players would find the back of the net. Connecticut took a 16-13 lead into the fourth period.

The fourth period would have a more defensive feel to it as both teams combined for just five goals. Stavrevski and Juhas tallied each of the goals for SIU.

Sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Perry made seven saves in net for Salem International, including five in the second period. Connecticut goalkeeper Matthew Wayman recorded seven saves in net.

Stavrevski finished with six goals for SIU, while Juhas tallied three for the Tigers. Stepan Cress tallied eight goals to pace the Connecticut offense.