(GENEVA, Ohio, April 27) – The McKendree University women's water polo team continued competition in the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Championships early Saturday morning with an 11-6 loss to Mercyhurst University. Following the loss, the Bearcats place ninth at the championships.
 
McKendree closes out the season at 11-15, setting a new program high in wins.
 
In the opening period, Mercyhurst went ahead 3-0 before freshman Kaitlyn Moguel (Tujunga, CA/Crescenta Valley High School) scored the lone goal in the period for the Bearcats. The Lakers led 4-1 after the opening eight minutes of play. Freshman Mikayla Davis (Flower Mound, TX/Flower Mound High School) scored the only goal for McKendree to close out the half as they trailed 7-2.
 
Freshman Maddy Bolton (Alta Loma, CA/Los Osos High School) and junior Brianna Mullalley (Chula Vista, CA/Eastlake High School) each put a ball in the back of the net in the third period to cut into the Mercyhurst lead. The Lakers would answer back with three goals in the period to take a 10-4 lead into the final period of play. The Bearcats held Mercyhurst to just one goal in the period in an attempt to mount a comeback. Freshman Lili Castillo (Santa Barbara, CA/Santa Barbara High School) and sophomore Emily Westlove (Naperville, IL/Naperville Central High School) each added in a goal in the final period as McKendree would fall 11-6 to Mercyhurst.
 
Freshman Isabella Strimling (Brentwood, CA/Heritage High School) recorded eight saves in three periods of play in the cage.