HAYWARD, California – The Mercyhurst University water polo team held on to defeat California State Monterey Bay, 13-11, Friday afternoon in their first game at the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Championships. Meagan Marques led the Lakers with five goals and one assist, while Annie Blackman and Kennedy Watson added three.

The Lakers got on the board first with 4:31 to play in the first period, when Blackman was assisted by Aleeyse Utech at even strength. The Otters evened the score at one on a power play goal by Cami Kellogg. Katie Appell would tack on a goal in the first, giving Mercyhurst a 2-1 advantage at the end of one period. Watson was rewarded the assist.

Cal State Monterey Bay was awarded an early five-meter penalty shot in the second period, allowing them to tie the game at two, before Blackman and Watson netted back-to-back goals, helping the Lakers take a 4-2 advantage.

The Otters would pull back within one, 4-3 but, then, Mercyhurst rallied off three straight goals. Marques scored back-to-back goals, while Blackman netted her third of the game, to give Mercyhurst a 7-3 lead. Appell assisted on both Marques goals, while Utech was credited with the assist to Blackman.

Marques would finish off the second period with the final goal, assisted by Blackman, leading the Lakers into an 8-4 advantage into the locker room.

Marques, an Orlando, Florida native, continued her stellar play in the third, scoring two-of-three Mercyhurst goals. The senior opened the period with the first two goals, opening a 10-4 lead with 5:40 to play. Watson would score her second goal of the game to conclude the third period at 11-5.

With the Lakers holding a six goal lead, the Otters would make things interesting as they scored six goals in the final frame. However, Mercyhurst was able to hold on to the win, their fourth straight, due to goals Becky Insalaco and Watson. Watson third goal of the game put the Lakers up four, 13-9, with 3:12 to play, while the Otters scored two late goals.

With the win, Mercyhurst (9-10) will advance to play the number one overall seed UC San Diego (23-9) tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. eastern time. Live stats and live video will be available for the game on the women's water polo schedule page.