Milos Popovic and Michael Rojas scored two goals apiece during a game-breaking 5-0 run in the fourth period as Salem University pulled away for a 17-11 victory over Penn State University-Behrend in the opening game of the Laker Invitational in NCAA men's water polo Friday at Erie, Pa. Popovic and Rojas each finished with four goals to lead the Tigers to their second straight victory.
 
Salem (3-3) led 10-8 in the fourth period when Rojas' penalty shot with 6:37 remaining ignited the Tigers' scoring run. Popovic added a goal 29 seconds later, then combined with Salvadore Orozco for a pair of goals 41 seconds apart inside the five-minute mark. Rojas capped the run with 3:22 remaining to extend the Tigers' lead to 15-8. The margin never fell below six the rest of the way.
 
After playing to a 3-3 tie in the first period, Salem took the lead for good on goals by Popovic and Orozco in the first 50 seconds of the second period. The Tigers held Penn State-Behrend to a single goal in the second period.
 
Orozco added three goals for Salem, while Julen Alonso finished with nine saves.
 
Salem plays two more contests Saturday, taking on Gannon University at 8 a.m. and facing La Salle University at 2 p.m. The Tigers wrap up tournament play Sunday afternoon against University of Toronto.