CAMBRIDGE, Mass.- The Mercyhurst women's water polo team lost, 8-7, to George Washington in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Southern Championship fifth-place match Sunday morning. Cailin Jope put up three goals and two assists as the Lakers closed the 2014 season. The game was played at Harvard University.

GW took a 2-0 lead after a quarter, but the Lakers bounced back with three goals in the second period, heading into halftime down, 4-3. George Washington grabbed a 6-4 advantage through three frames, but Mercyhurst rallied again. Aleeyse Utech pulled the Lakers within one and then Jena Clinch tied the contest with 2:06 to go. Jope scored on a penalty shot at the 1:37 mark, giving Mercyhurst a 7-6 edge. However, GW answered with two goals to take fifth place.

Jope led with a hat trick and two assists. Utech and Becky Insalaco each had a goal and a helper. Clinch and Meagan Marques scored a goal apiece, while Katie Jeffrey dished out an assist. Jesse Sworden recorded 13 saves in goal.

Mercyhurst went 9-14 this season. The Lakers will have to replace three seniors-Jope, Jeffrey, and Allie Grimes.