(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 31) – The McKendree University women's water polo team defeated Lindenwood University by a final score of 11-9 in the second home game of the season.
 
The Bearcats move to 2-3 overall on the season, and remain unbeaten at home.
 
Lindenwood opened the game strong gaining a two goal lead over McKendree, but freshman defender Samantha McGowan scored for the Bearcats to draw them within one. The Lions responded with a goal of their own to take a 3-1 lead. Freshman defender Emily Westlove beat the Lions goaltender to tighten up the score at 3-2 before the close of the first quarter.
 
Westlove scored again to open up the second quarter and even up the game at three a side. The Bearcats took the lead on a shot by senior center Sabrina Sherrin and never looked back. Westlove and Sherrin Each added another goal to give McKendree the 6-3 lead. Lindenwood snuck one in before the end of the half, but the Bearcats held a 6-4 lead at halftime.
 
Lindenwood drew the game back within one goal, but sophomore attacker Brianna Mullalley fired a shot to beat the Lions goaltender. The Lions responded with a goal, but McGowan answered with authority from outside of five meters to give the Bearcats an 8-6 lead at the end of the third quarter.
 
Mullalley opened up the final frame with two quick goals to give McKendree a four goal lead. Lindenwood charged back with three goals to close the gap to just one with three minutes remaining in the quarter. Sherrin fired one that beat the Lions goalie with just a few seconds left on the shot clock in the final minute of the game, to top off the scoring in the contest giving McKendree the 11-9 victory over Lindenwood.
 
Mullalley, Sherrin, and Westlove each netted three goals in the game, with McGowan scoring two. Freshman goaltender Crystal Armstrong played all four quarters recording three steals and two saves.
 
The Bearcats are back in action this weekend for four games in Providence, Rhode Island at the Bruno Invite hosted by Brown University.