NORTH EAST, Pa.- The Mercyhurst women's water polo team won twice to open the 2014 season Saturday. The Lakers defeated Notre Dame College, 12-5, and then beat St. Francis College, 11-5. Both games were played at the North East Aquatic Center.
 
In the victory over NDC, Mercyhurst took a 4-2 lead after a quarter. Another goal in the second frame gave the Lakers a 5-3 halftime advantage. Mercyhurst tacked on seven second-half scores to pull away for the season-opening win.
 
Cailin Jope and Jena Clinch each scored three goals and dished out an assist. Aleeyse Utech posted a hat trick, while Meagan Marques added a goal and a helper. Katelyn Jeffery and Allie Grimes scored a goal apiece and Becky Insalaco dished out two assists. Jesse Sworden made 13 saves and had two assists in net.
 
Against the Terriers, the Lakers led, 2-1, after the first. They scored three times in the second period for a 5-1 margin. Mercyhurst followed with three goals in both the third and fourth quarters for a six-goal difference.
 
Jope scored five goals in the win. Utech registered two goals and three assists, while Annie Blackman totaled a goal and a pair of helpers. Marques had a goal and an assist. Grimes and Stephanie Fernandez each scored and Clinch chipped in with two assists. Rachel Stock played in goal, recording nine saves.
 
Mercyhurst is off until February 28, when it heads to Virginia for a trio of contests at VMI.