ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst University women's water polo team won its fifth straight contest on Friday night after holding on for an 11-9 victory at crosstown-rival Gannon University. With the victory, the Lakers improved to 10-7 on the season.

Mercyhurst jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the opening quarter and led the Golden Knights, 6-4, at halftime. The two teams played to a 5-5 stalemate in the second half as the Lakers held on for the two-goal victory.

Freshman Kennedy Watson continued her sensational rookie season, leading the Lakers with four goals and an assist in the victory. She now has 52 goals and 14 assists in 15 games this season. Juniors Meagan Marques and Aleeyse Utech each chipped in with a pair of tallies in the win.

Junior Annie Blackman and sophomores Vicky Arciniega and Becky Insalaco had the other Laker goals. Insalaco and sophomore Jena Clinch led the Lakers with two steals apiece while Clinch also posted a game-high five drawn ejections.

Junior goalkeeper Jesse Sworden had eight saves and a steal in the victory.

Mercyhurst will play a pair of home games this weekend against Hartwick College on Saturday and Bucknell University on Sunday with both being played at the Mercyhurst North East Aquatic Center. Saturday's contest starts at 10:00 a.m. while Sunday gets underway at 11:00 a.m.