(ERIE, Penn., Feb. 16) – The McKendree University women's water polo team opened up the season at the Mercyhurst Invite on Saturday morning. The Bearcats defeated division-I LaSalle University 13-8 in game one and fell to Bucknell by the score of 17-6 in game two.
 
The Bearcats win over LaSalle is the McKendree's first win over a division-I program.
 
Game One
Sophomore Emily Westlove (Naperville, IL/Naperville Central High School) led the offense, putting six balls in the back of the net. Junior Brianna Mullalley (Chula Vista, CA/Eastlake High School), junior Catie Young (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Los Osos High School), and freshman Maddy Bolton (Alta Loma, CA/Los Osos High School) each contributed two goals apiece. Freshman Abigail Burton (Chino, CA/Chino High School) found the back of the net one time for her first collegiate goal.
 
Freshman Kaitlyn Moguel (Tujunga, CA/Crescenta Valley High School) facilitated the offense, handing out four assists. Freshman Carley Manuel () followed with two assists.
 
On defensive end, Wilson, Moguel, Manuel, Young, and Bolton each grabbed two steals apiece.
 
In the cage, junior Kim Fay (Lake Oswego, OR) snagged three steals and only allowed four goals.
 
Game Two
The Bearcats trailed Bucknell 6-2 after the opening period with goals from Mullalley and Westlove. In the second period, sophomore Alaina Johnson (Mason, OH/William Mason High School) found the back of the cage for the lone goal. McKendree trailed 10-3 going into halftime.
 
Johnson netted her second goal of the game in the final period. Moguel scored her first collegiate goal and Bolton also found the back of the cage.
 
Wilson dished out two assists in the game to guide the offense.
 
Wilson, Manuel, and Bolton each recorded two steals each to lead the defense.
 
The Bearcats return to the Pool on Sunday for games against Iona College and Saint Francis University to close out the Mercyhurst Invite. Iona is scheduled for 8:00a.m. ET and Saint Francis is slated for 1:00p.m. ET.