(HUDSONVILLE, Mich., Feb. 11) – The McKendree University women's water polo team opened up Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Midwest Division play on Saturday falling to Grand Valley State and earning their first win against the University of Miami (OH).
 
The Bearcats opened up division play at 2:50 p.m. at the Hudsonville Aquatics Center in Hudsonville, Mich. against host, Grand Valley State. McKendree ended up falling 7-3 at the end of the contest. The first quarter saw a man up goal by freshman attacker Brianna Mullalley (Chula Vista, CA/Eastlake High School). The Lakers evened up the game in the first quarter, closing out the quarter tied 1-1. The Bearcats were held off the board in the second quarter, as the Lakers scored twice to take a 3-1 leave into halftime. McKendree came out hard in the third quarter, firing two more goals past Grand Valley State's goalie. Goal scorers for McKendree were Mullalley and sophomore attacker Jillian Hoffman (Prospect Heights, IL). Grand Valley scored two of their own in the quarter to hold a 5-3 lead after three quarters. McKendree was held scoreless in the fourth quarter, as the Lakers added two more to win 7-3 over the Bearcats.
 
McKendree's second game of the day came at 6:20 p.m. against the University of Miami (OH). The Bearcats earned their first win in a big way in the game, taking home a 19-3 win. The Bearcats held the Red Hawks off the scoreboard in the first quarter as they netted eight goals. Scoring for McKendree was Mullalley with two, freshman Victoria Jones (Lodi, CA/Tokay High School) with three, junior Sabrina Sherrin (San Jose, CA/West Valley Junior College) with two, and freshman Kate Eckert (Bainbridge, WA/Bainbridge Island High School). The Bearcats continued to score in the second quarter finding the back of the net three times. Mullalley and Eckert each added another goal, with freshman Grace Coplin (St. Louis, MO/Mehlville High School) scoring her first of the season. At halftime the Bearcats held a 12-1 lead over the Red Hawks. The third quarter saw two more goals from Mullalley, one from freshman Valerie Sorondo (Orlando, FL/Lake Nona High School), and one from freshman Catie Young (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Los Osos High School). The Red Hawks were able to find the back of the net again in the third quarter, but still trailed McKendree 15-2. The fourth quarter saw four more Bearcat goals with Mullalley and Jones each adding two more. The Bearcats went on to win 19-3 over the Miami Red Hawks.
 
The Bearcats are back in action for two more games on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. as they take on Lindenwood University, and 11:45 a.m. as they face Illinois State University.