PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Mercyhurst University women's water polo team split two contests for the second consecutive day at the Villanova Invitational to even the team's record at 2-2 after the first weekend of the season. The Lakers lost the opener on Sunday morning, 15-6, against Iona College before posting a 14-5 victory over St. Francis College of Brooklyn later in the afternoon.

In the opener, the Gaels jumped out to a 5-2 lead after the opening period and then extended the lead to 10-3 at halftime. Iona outscored the Lakers by a 2-0 margin in the third period to see its lead balloon to 12-3. The teams played even in the fourth period, 3-3, for the final margin.

Freshman Kennedy Watson scored three of Mercyhurst's six goals while senior Ali Iaquinto and sophomores Jena Clinch and Becky Insalaco each scored once in the loss. Junior Meagan Marques had a pair of assists.

Sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Stock played the entire game and had six saves.

In the nightcap, Mercyhurst broke open a 7-5 contest at halftime by outscoring St. Francis College, 7-0, in the second half to cruise to a 14-5 victory.

Watson concluded a big first weekend of her collegiate career with six goals, two assists, and two steals. She finished the four games with a team-high 17 goals and added five helpers. Insalaco also had a big effort with four goals, one assist, one steal, and a team-high three drawn ejections.

Marques added a pair of goals while junior Alyeese Utech and freshman Katie Appell also scored in the victory.

Stock started and played to the midway mark of the second quarter. She made six saves while allowing three goals. She also added an assist. Junior Jesse Sworden finished the outing and allowed two goals while also posting six saves.

The Lakers will play their first Collegiate Water Polo Association games next weekend when they play four games in two days - February 28 and March 1. Mercyhurst will play against Harvard and Brown on Saturday and then will play George Washington and Princeton on Sunday.