ERIE, Pa. – The Salem University men's water polo team defeated No. 7 Monmouth 25-10 and No. 3 Mercyhurst 13-12 in the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) West tournament, Saturday. 
 
With the two tournament wins today, the Tigers earned a spot in the championship game tomorrow. 
 
In the morning game against Monmouth, Salem dominated its way to a 25-10 win. 
 
The Tigers offensive explosion was led by junior Milos Popovic and classmate Salvador Orozco who each found the back of the net seven times. 
 
Sophomore Michael Rojas added in three goals, while senior Inigo Velasco and freshman Mike Diaz each tossed-in two goals. 
 
Freshman Austin Kephart, classmate Alvaro Leon Parra, sophomore Steven de Neergaard and sophomore Uros Jevtic each posted one goal. 
 
After earning the win, the Tigers we set for a 5:00 p.m. match with conference foe Mercyhurst. 
 
In the nightcap, the Tigers edged Mercyhurst 13-12. 
 
The Tigers attack was again led by Popovic as he tossed-in four goals, while Rojas found the back of the goal three times. 
 
Junior Robert Juhas added in two goals, while Orozco, Jevtic and Kephart each notched one goal. 
 
The Tigers are back in the pool tomorrow as they play for the MAWPC West Championship against McKendree at 1:30 p.m. with the winner advancing to the Division I conference tournament.