Princeton, N.J. – The Mercyhurst College women's water polo team opened its 2009 season Saturday afternoon with a pair of losses to No. 17 Princeton and Bucknell at the DeNunzio Pool in Princeton, N.J. The Lakers fell by the scores of 14-2 and 14-1.

Freshman Tara Bouma, sophomore Alyssa Katerberg and junior Jenna Jefferds registered goals for the Lakers while freshman Laura Hennessey and sophomore Nicole Nelson picked up an assist each.

In net, junior Cathi Korenich and freshman Hope Rozelle split duties. Korenich made six saves against the nationally-ranked Tigers while Rozelle registered 11 with two steals versus Bucknell.

Mercyhurst returns to action in three weeks when the Lakers take on Marist in the first round of the ECAC Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 28 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.