LEXINGTON, Va.- The Mercyhurst women's water polo team won two games Saturday at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Invitational. The Lakers beat Washington and Jefferson and Grove City College and fell at VMI.
 
In an 18-8 win over W&J, the Lakers led, 5-2, after a quarter and took a 10-2 lead in halftime. Another five goal showing in the third allowed Mercyhurst to pull away.
 
Cailin Jope put up five goals and two assists, while Meagan Marques and Becky Insalaco scored four times each. Aleeyse Utech recorded two goals and two assists. Annie Blackman added a goal and two helpers and Katelyn Jeffrey had a goal and an assist. Jena Clinch and Stephanie Fernandez dished out two assists apiece. Jesse Sworden posted saves in goal.
 
The Lakers closed the day with a 15-8 victory over Grove City. They scored eight goals in the first period and led, 10-2, at the break.
 
Marques and Jeffery each tallied three goals and an assist. Insalaco had a hat trick and Ali Iaquinto totaled two goals and a helper. Clinch registered a goal and three assists, while Jope, Claire Manley, and Amanda Wolterink had a goal and an assist apiece. Rachel Stock made saves in net.
 
In the second game of the day, Mercyhurst dropped an 18-15 decision at VMI. The Keydets led, 4-1, after a quarter and 9-4 at halftime. The Lakers put up eight fourth-quarter goals, but it was not enough to rally for the win.
 
Clinch led with five goals and three assists. Utech posted two goals and three assists, while Marques scored four goals. Jope added two goals and two helpers. Annie Blackman tallied a goal and an assist, while Insalaco dished out a pair of helpers. Sworden had nine saves in three quarters of play.
 
The Lakers are now 5-1 this season. They travel to California for three games next weekend.