ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Mercyhurst women's water polo team kicked off their 2026 season at the Michigan Invitaional, where they played in a doubleheader against Indiana and Mount St. Mary's. The Lakers were defeated in both matchups as they lost 26-3 to Indiana and 14-6 to Mount St. Mary's.
 
Game One
In the first quarter, the Hoosiers opened up the scoring with three consecutive goals. This streak was broken by senior Bri Allstun, as she scored the Lakers' first goal of the year. Indiana proceeded to close out the quarter with four more goals, going into the second with a 7-1 lead.
 
In the second quarter, Indiana continued to display their offense by scoring six more goals, extending their lead 13-1 going into halftime.
 
In the third quarter, sophomore Victoria Mastrangelo got on the board with a goal scored for Mercyhurst. Indiana responded with five more goals, adding to their 19-2 lead to enter the fourth.
 
In the final quarter, the Hoosiers scored first, extending their lead. Mastrangelo responded 37 seconds later with a goal of her own, giving her two on the day. Indiana proceeded to score six more goals, ending the game with 26-3 victory.
 
Game Two
In the first quarter, the Mountaineers scored the first two goals of the game, establishing a very quick 2-0 lead. The Lakers responded with two goals of their own, first coming from sophomore Victoria Mastrangelo. The second goal came from freshman Mercedes Feliciano-Fernandez, ending the quarter in a 2-2 tie.
 
The Lakers opened up the scoring in the second quarter 28 seconds in with a goal from freshman Bailey Dunn. The Mount were able to respond with a goal of their own, tying the game at three. Mercyhurst broke that tie quickly, as Mastrangelo scored her second goal of the game. The Mountaineers responded with five goals, taking a 8-4 lead into the half.
 
In the third quarter, the Mount continued their momentum by scoring four more goals to add to their lead. Feliciano-Fernandez kept the Lakers in the game with a goal to narrow the deficit 12-5.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Mountaineers maintained their lead and by adding on two more goals. Junior Marley Hanlon scored a goal with 19 seconds left, but the Mountaineers were able to hold a 14-6 lead.
 
The Lakers return to the water tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. when they face off against the Michigan Wolverines. Following that match, Mercyhurst will battle against UC Davis at 12:30 p.m.