ANNAPOLIS, Md. –The Salem University men's water polo team opened the season with two losses to Fordham 10-8 and George Washington 22-9 in the 2018 Navy Open, Saturday. 
 
In the first game, the Tigers were edged by division I Fordham. The Tigers were led by junior Milos Popovic who had three goals, while senior Inigo Velasco and junior Salvador Orozco each scored two goals apiece. Sophomore Michael Rojas added in the other goal of the match. 
 
Sophomore Petar Leontijevic notched 11 saves on 16 shots, stepping in after the first quarter.
 
The Tigers trailed 5-2 at the end of the first and battled back but fell just short of the comeback. 
 
In the second match of the day, Salem fell to division I and MAWPC defending champion George Washington.
 
Orozco, Leontijevic and Rojas generated two goals each, while Velasco and freshman Austin Kephart each added one goal. 
 
The Tigers were 4-for-14 on man-up opportunities and could not get the momentum flowing. 
 
Salem is back in action tomorrow for the second day of the Navy Open as it takes on Wagner at 10:15 a.m. and Lindenwood at 4:30 p.m.