(O'FALLON, Ill., March 17) – The McKendree University women's water polo team won its home opener on Sunday morning with a 9-5 win over Lindenwood University at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex.
 
The Bearcats snap a seven game losing streak and advance to 6-9 overall on the season.
 
McKendree jumped ahead early as junior Brianna Mullalley (Chula Vista, CA/Eastlake High School) scored just 28 seconds into the opening period. Sophomore Emily Westlove (Naperville, IL/Naperville Central High School) scored just a minute later with an assist from freshman Maddy Bolton (Alta Loma, CA/Los Osos High School). The Lions answered back with a goal of their own to cut the lead to 2-1. Westlove recorded her second goal of the period to put the lead back to two. Freshman Kaitlyn Moguel (Tujunga, CA/Crescenta Valley High School) added to the lead with a goal of her own off a pass from Bolton. With under a minute left, Mullalley netted her second goal to give McKendree a 5-1 lead after the first period.
 
Mullalley recorded the only goals in the second period as she pushed her count to four on the day. The Bearcat defense stood strong, shutting out the Lions to carry a 7-1 lead into halftime.
 
Freshman Carley Manuel () opened up the third period scoring with an assist from freshman goalie Isabella Strimling (). Mullalley buried her fifth goal of the game to extend the Bearcat lead to 9-1. Lindenwood added a goal with 22 seconds left in the period to bring the game to 9-2 heading into the final period.
 
Lindenwood scored three goals in the final period but it would not be enough as McKendree sealed a 9-5 victory over the Lions.
 
In the cage, Strimling recorded 10 saves and two steals.
 
The Bearcats will head back east for the Penn State Behrend tournament beginning on March 30 as they open up against Villanova University.