(WASHINGTON, Penn., Feb. 23) – The McKendree University women's water polo team completed day one of the Washington and Jefferson Invite, impressing offensively with a 21-6 victory over Penn State Behrend and a 22-4 win over the host, Washington and Jefferson.
 
The Bearcats advance to 4-2 overall on the season.
 
Game One
In the 21-6 victory over Penn State Behrend, three different Bearcats registered three goals. Juniors Brianna Mullalley (Chula Vista, CA/Eastlake High School), Catie Young (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Los Osos High School), and sophomore Emily Westlove (Naperville, IL/Naperville Central High School) each found the back of the cage three times. Freshmen Abby Kishimoto (Yucaipa, CA/Yucaipa, CA), Carley Manuel (), and Danielle Borelli (Laguna Beach, CA/Laguna Beach High School) each scored two goals apiece in the win.
 
Mullalley also led the team in assists, dishing out four while Kishimoto followed up with two.
 
On defense, junior Tiana Wilson (Orange County, CA/Mt. San Antonio College) and sophomore Brianna Beason led the team with three steals. Sophomore Hannah Sallenback (Elk Grove Village, IL/Elk Grove High School) compiled two takeaways.
 
Game Two
In the 22-4 triumph over Washington and Jefferson, freshman Abby Burton kicked off the scoring just under two minutes into the game. The Presidents evened the score three minutes later. Burton quickly put the Bearcats back ahead with her second goal in the period. Mullalley went on a tear, scoring three consecutive goals to put McKendree up 5-1 after the opening period.
 
The Presidents scored first in the second period, but Borelli answered with her first of day. Westlove rattled off back to back goals to put the Bearcats up 8-2. Wilson added her first goal of the game in the period as Mullalley would bury four more goals of her own to close out the first half, with McKendree up 13-4.
 
Burton netted her third of the game quickly into the second half. Freshman Erin Haff () recorded her first goal of the contest to add to the Bearcat lead. Westlove scored her third in the period while sophomore Hannah Sallenback (Elk Grove Village, IL/Elk Grove High School) added her first. Mullalley closed out the third period with her eighth goal of the game. McKendree's defense stood strong, shutting out the Presidents and taking a 18-4 lead into the final eight minutes.
 
Borelli found the back of the net for the second time just 44 seconds into the fourth period. Mullalley continued her torrid streak, putting her ninth ball into the back of the cage. Freshman Hannah Baker (Barnhart, MO/Oakville High School) and Manuel added goals in the fourth to seal a 22-4 victory for the Bearcats. McKendree handled Washington and Jefferson defensively, allowing zero goals in the second half.
 
Freshman goalie Isabella Strimling () recorded seven saves in the victory.
 
The Bearcats return to the pool on Sunday morning, as they take on Villanova University at 10:30a.m. ET before closing out the Washington and Jefferson Invite against Gannon University at 3:30p.m. ET.