ERIE, Pa. – McKendree University women's water polo appeared headed to a win here Sunday morning against Villanova in its final game of the Curtis Robinette Invitational, before the Wildcats rallied to two goals late in the fourth quarter en route to earning an 11-10 win over the Bearcats at the Hagerty Event Center – Hallman Aquatics Center.
 
With the setback, the Bearcats suffer its first loss of the 2022 season as they fall to 3-1 on the season, while Villanova improved to 4-6 on the season. The Bearcats finished the Robinette Invitational with a 2-1 record as they picked up wins on Saturday over Penn State Behrend (28-5) and Mount St. Mary's (12-9).
 
Against Villanova, the Bearcats led 10-9 heading into the fourth period against the Wildcats. In the fourth period, Kaysie Stuba scored on a penalty shot to tie the game at 10 with 5:49 remaining and then later in the period, the Bearcats were whistled for another foul to give Villanova a 6-on-5 advantage and Emily Morrisey connected from about five meters out over the outstretched hand of freshman goalie Sydney Kane (Bradley, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) to give the Wildcats an 11-10 lead.
 
McKendree's offense was paced by two goals each from graduate student Jaleh Moaddeli (Newport Beach, Calif./GWU) and senior center defender Danielle Borelli (Laguna Beach, Calif./Laguna Beach). Junior Shoshana Scanlon (Orlando, Fla./Olympia) recorded four points in the game as she tallied a goal and three assists.
 
The Wildcats would hold an early 3-1 lead in the game, before the Bearcats answered with two of the next three goals to trail 4-3 after the opening period.
 
Senior attacker Maddy Bolton (Alta Loma, Calif./Los Osos) and senior center Abigail Burton (Chino, Calif./Chino) scored back-to-back goals to open the second period to give the Bearcats a 5-4 lead. 'Nova would answer with two straight goals themselves, including a goal by Stuba give the Bearcats a 6-5 lead.
 
The Bearcats, though, would close the second period by scoring two more goals in the final minute, including taking a 7-6 lead at the half on a power play goal by freshman center Sofia Dominguez (Long Beach, Calif./Woodrow Wilson).
 
Both teams scored three goals in the third period to give the Bearcats a 10-9 lead heading into the final period.
 
Stuba led the way for Villanova with seven points as she scored four goals and added three assists, while Allie Hansen added five points as she had four assists and a goal in the win.
 
Kane played all 32 minutes in goal and allowed 11 goals and made 11 saves and also had an assist and a steal.
 
Abigail Shelby allowed 10 goals and added six steals and an assist in goal for the Wildcats.

Perhaps the biggest difference in the game came on defense as Villanova held a 13-12 edge in steals. Moaddeli and Bolton combined for five steals for the Bearcats, while Stella Byles led Villanova with five.
 
The Bearcats will return to action next Saturday (Feb. 26) as they travel to Kenosha, Wis., for two games against Carthage College at 2 and 5 p.m.