ERIE, Pa. -- The Augustana Vikings men's water polo team picked up a dominant road victory over the Mercyhurst Lakers on Friday, winning by a score of 17-4.

The Lakers got on the board first less than two minutes in to the game, but the Vikings responded with six goals in a row to end the opening quarter. Colin McDowell put Augie on the board at the 5:25 mark, followed by a score from Oskar Bannister to give the team the lead for good. Two scores from Rhys Lomax and a goal each from Mark Addison and Joseph Addison added onto the 6-1 opening-period advantage.

Mercryhurst bounced back with a positive second quarter, winning the frame 3-2 to cut the Augie margin to four at the break. Lomax and Ian Palmroos notched the two goals for the Vikings in the period to bring the halftime score to 8-4.

The Augustana defense went the following two quarters without allowing a goal, adding onto their cushion with a three-spot in the third. Three different players accounted for goals to begin the second half, seeing one each from Palmroos, Stevan Rasic, and J. Addison. The Vikings then exploded for six more scores through the final eight minutes, fueled by consecutive scores from Palmroos to open the fourth quarter. James Davis, Tyler Leslie, Bannister, and Dean Marolda all secured goals late in the game to add onto the 17-4 final score.

The Vikings out-shot the Lakers 31-27 in the win and were led in goals by Palmroos with four. Declan Hutton earned the win in net, saving 18 shots.

Augustana's record moves to 6-5 with the win. The team will open conference play tomorrow against Washington & Jefferson and Penn State Behrend.