(LA VERNE, Calif., Mar. 1) – The McKendree University women's water polo team opened play in the Convergence Tournament with losses to the University of La Verne and California Lutheran University on Friday.
The Bearcats fall to 5-6 overall on the season.
Game One
The Bearcats fell behind early as they went into the second period down 2-0. Freshman Abby Burton got McKendree on the board with a goal four minutes into the second period. Burton scored the lone goal in the half as La Verne carried a 5-1 lead into halftime.
The Leopards scored first in the second half to extend their lead to 6-1. Sophomore
Emily Westlove (Naperville, IL/Naperville Central High School) answered back with her first goal of the contest. La Verne quickly answered back before Burton added her second goal of the game. After the third period, McKendree trailed 7-3.
The fourth period was an active period for the Bearcats as they found the back of the cage six times. Freshman
Carley Manuel () got it started with a goal just over a minute into the final period. Junior Bri Mullalley netted her first just 30 seconds later and quickly after, Manuel found the cage for the second time. La Verne held just a 7-6 lead after the three unanswered goals.
La Verne rattled off back-to-back goals to push the lead back to four. Burton answered with her third goal of the day. Mullalley added in two more goals but it wouldn't be enough as the Bearcats fell to La Verne, 10-9.
Freshman
Maddy Bolton (Alta Loma, CA/Los Osos High School) led the defense with two steals.
Game Two
The Bearcats struggled to find any offense in the first half as they trailed 9-0 after 16 minutes of play. Bolton notched the first McKendree goal of the game four minutes into the third period.
Freshmen
Erin Haff () and
Hannah Baker (Barnhart, MO/Oakville High School) notched their first goals of the day in the fourth period. Junior
Alaina Johnson (Mason, OH/William Mason High School) netted the final goal of the game as the Bearcats would fall 15-4 to the hands of California Lutheran.
On defense, Haff led the way with three takeaways.
The Bearcats will return to action on Saturday morning at 11:40a.m. PT against Whittier College before closing the Convergence Tournament against Concordia University at 3:40p.m. PT.
