(ERIE, Penn., Feb. 17) – The McKendree University women's water polo team completed its season opening weekend in the Mercyhurst Invite on Sunday. The Bearcats were defeated by Iona in a close game, 11-9 and finished the weekend with a victory over Saint Francis, 15-7.
 
The Bearcats sit at 2-2 overall on the young season.
 
Game One
The Bearcats and Iona traded goals throughout the opening period. Freshman Kaitlyn Moguel (Tujunga, CA/Crescenta Valley High School) and sophomore Emily Westlove (Naperville, IL/Naperville Central High School) notched goals in the first period. After eight minutes, the score was knotted at two.
 
Back and forth play resumed in the second period as both teams recorded two goals. Moguel buried her second and third goal in the period for McKendree. The Bearcats went into halftime tied at four.
 
Westlove came out firing in the third period as she recorded all three goals in the period for McKendree. The Bearcats carried a 7-6 lead going into the final period of play.
 
Iona took the lead after two unanswered goals before junior Brianna Mullalley (Chula Vista, CA/Eastlake High School) evened the match at eight with her first goal. The Gaels took back the lead, adding two goals to take a 10-8 lead. Mullalley cut into the lead with her second goal in the period but it wouldn't be enough as the Bearcats would fall 11-9.
 
Freshman goalie Isabella Strimling () recorded four saves and a steal in the game.
 
Game Two
McKendree stormed ahead early, burying four goals in the opening period. Freshman Abby Burton got the Bearcats on the board first just over a minute into the game. Moguel pushed the lead to two just 40 seconds later. Burton put her second ball in the back of the cage to give McKendree a 3-0 lead. Freshman Maddy Bolton (Alta Loma, CA/Los Osos High School) closed out the period with her first goal of the day. The Bearcat defense held up as they carried a 4-0 lead after the first period.
 
Westlove scored her first goal of the game three minutes into the second period. Freshman Danielle Borelli (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach High School) added to the lead after she put the ball in the back of the cage. Westlove recorded her second goal of the minute and the Bearcats would take a 7-3 lead into halftime.
 
Three minutes into the third period, Westlove added her third goal of the contest with a five-meter penalty shot. Mullalley netted her first goal of the game midway through the third period. Bolton and Moguel each scored their second goals to give McKendree a 11-3 lead going into the final eight minutes. The Bearcat defense once again held up, allowing zero goals to the Red Flashes.
 
In the final period, Moguel recorded her third goal of the game just a minute into the period. Mullalley added her second goal to give McKendree a 13-5 lead. Just a minute later, freshman Erin Haff () buried her first goal of the day. Burton finished out the Bearcat scoring with her second goal of the contest. The Bearcats ended the day with a 15-7 win over Saint Francis.
 
The Bearcats will head back to Pennsylvania for the Washington and Jefferson Invite on Feb. 23-24.