(BLOOMINGTON, Ind., March 7) – The McKendree University women's water polo team opened competition in the Hoosier Invite on the campus of Indiana University on Saturday with losses to California Lutheran and Mercyhust.
 
Following the losses, McKendree sits at 4-8 overall and 0-2 in Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) play, with the loss to Mercyhurst.
 
A slow start in the first period, the Bearcats were down 6-1 to California Lutheran. Senior Brianna Mullalley (Chula Vista, CA/Eastlake High School) scored the lone goal. McKendree held strong defensively in the second period, holding the Regals to one goal. Freshman Alivia Garcia (Buena Park, CA/Kennedy High School) scored in the period as the Bearcats went into halftime down 8-2.
 
In the second half, junior Emily Westlove (Naperville, IL/Naperville Central High School) and Garcia found the back of the cage in an attempt to cut into the Regal lead, but California Lutheran answered with four goals in the period to carry a 12-4 lead into the final eight minutes.
 
The Bearcats found their groove in the fourth period, pouring in six goals in a comeback attempt. Freshman Lindy Justice (Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada/Vimy Ridge Academy) and Mullalley each added in two goals to lead the attack. Sophomore Carley Manuel (Lantana, TX/Guyer High School) and Garcia contributed the other goals. Despite a six goal period, the Bearcats fell by the score of 14-10.
 
Sophomore goalie Isabella Strimling (Brentwood, CA/Heritage High School) made 12 saves and added in one steal in the cage.
 
Against Mercyhurst, the Bearcats struggled to get the offense going, mustering six goals in the game. Westlove led the charge with a goal in three straight periods. Mullalley, Manuel, and Justice were the ones to score the other goals for McKendree.
 
In the cage, Strimling counted 16 saves and one steal in the loss.