Lebanon, Ill.—The Mercyhurst Women's Water Polo team knew what they needed to do in order to win their bracket on Day One of the WWPA Championships. They needed to win both games, and they did just that, defeated McKendree 7-6 and Gannon 7-6.
Game One vs McKendree (W, 7-6)
McKendree was able to jump out to an early lead as they were able to score the first two goals of the game.
Maddie Nye was able to start the comeback as she scored with 4:20 remaining in the opening period.
Three minutes later Cassie Anderson would score her first of the post season as she took the pass from Hanna Good to tie the game at two. McKendree scored the lone goal of the second period as they took the lead into halftime.
Just 45 seconds into the third period, McKendree took their two goal lead back. They extended it to three just 45 seconds later.
With 2:38 remaining and Mercyhurst on the powerplay, Anderson buried her second of the game while Nye picked up an assist.
Just over a minute later Nye scored her second of the game on a pass from Rachel Vlietstra to cut the McKendree lead to one.
14 seconds later McKendree extended their back to two as the third period ended.
The Lakers were able to get back on the board with 3:32 remaining as Sara Marin was able to score to bring the score to 6-5.
With 1:43 Anderson fed a pass to Good and Good was able to tie the game with her first goal of the postseason.
Just 13 seconds later the Lakers took the lead as Marin was able to a pass from Nye to give the Lakers the lead with 80 seconds remaining in the game.
The Lakers would hold on to win with Sarah O'Keefe making 12 saves in the cage for Mercyhurst.
Mercyhurst also was able to outshoot the Bearcats while also winning all four sprints.
Game Two vs Gannon
Unlike game one, the Lakers were able to jump out to a quick lead just over two minutes into the game Anderson was able to score to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead.
Gannon would tie it up just a few seconds later.
62 seconds later Good would score to make it 2-1 and give Mercyhurst their lead back.
With three minutes remaining in the first period the Golden Knights would score to tie the game at two. Gannon would then score on the powerplay two minutes later to give them the 3-2 lead heading into the second.
Just a minute and 12 seconds into the period Rachel Morris would get on the scoresheet as she tied the game at three for the Lakers.
Anderson would net her second of the game to give the Lakers the lead once again with 4:15 remaining in period two.
17 seconds later the see-saw of a game would continue as Gannon scored on a penalty shot.
With 2:25 remaining in the second period Marin netted her first of the contest to give the Lakers a 5-4 lead going to halftime.
Just three minutes into the third Anderson completed her hattrick to give the Lakers a 6-4 lead with just 12 minutes remaining in the game.
Gannon would score two straight goals and tie the game with 5:22 remaining in the fourth period.
On a powerplay with 2:50 remaining, Anderson scored her fourth of the game to give the Lakers a 7-6 lead.
Gannon would get one more opportunity to score but couldn't as the Lakers held on for a win. O'Keefe once again made 12 saved in the cage. Mercyhurst out shot the Golden Knights and was able to convert on their lone powerplay of the game, while the Lakers held Gannon to 1-7 on the powerplay and 1-2 on penalty shots.
Up Next
The Lakers will take on Fresno-Pacific in the second Semi-Final at 11:30 AM CST (12:30 PM EST) with a spot in the conference championship on the line. The winner will play the winner of Salem and Gannon in the championship at 3 PM CST (4 PM EST).
