The Mercyhurst women's water polo team went 1-2 in its three games played as hosts in the Mercyhurst Invitational at the Prep-Villa Events Center this past weekend. Mercyhurst's opponents among the eight-team field included Siena, Bucknell, and Virginia Military Institute (VMI).
 
Lakers 13, Siena 11
 
Mercyhurst earned its first victory of the season by taking down Siena in the team's first game of the invitational, much in due to a great individual effort from Becky Insalaco.
 
The Lakers' senior had a game-high eight goals on 11 shot attempts. She also chipped in defensively with three steals.
 
Mackenzie Ryburn added three goals with Jena Clinch scoring two more. Madison Maes had six saves in goal.
 
Siena pulled the score to within one at 8-7 at the end of three periods before Insalaco scored four of her eight goals in the final quarter to seal the victory.
 
Lakers 5, Bucknell 17
 
In their second game of the day, the Lakers managed just five scores against Bucknell in a 12-point defeat.
 
The Bison scored on 17 of 29 shots (58.6 percent) while Mercyhurst cashed in on just five of its 22 shots (22.7 percent).
 
Bucknell earned the early lead and did not look back. The Bison led 6-1 after the first quarter and 10-2 at the half.
 
Insalaco had three of Mercyhurst's five goals. Ryburn and Carly Romano each added one apiece.
 
The Lakers managed 13 steals as a unit.
 
Lakers 11, VMI 16
 
In its only game on Sunday, Mercyhurst lost to VMI 16-11.
 
The only lead the Lakers held for the game was the initial 1-0 advantage.
 
Despite shooting 11 of 24 (45.8 percent) the Lakers had trouble stalling VMI's offensive pressures. VMI shot 16 of 25 (64 percent).
 
Ryburn led the Lakers with four goals scored on five shots. Jena Clinch added three goals and two steals.
 
Mercyhurst (1-6) will participate in the Penn State Behrend Invitational next weekend Feb. 15-26.