SALEM, W. Va. – The Mercyhurst women's water polo team competed in day three of the Salem Invitational, facing off against the McKendree Bearcats. In a close matchup, the Lakers fell short to the Bearcats with a final score of 15-9.
 
In the first quarter, McKendree scored four straight goals to open the period. Freshman Bailey Dunn killed their momentum, and got Mercyhurst on the board with a goal. The Bearcats responded with a goal of their own just 40 seconds later. Junior Freya Green got on the board for the Lakers, narrowing the deficit back to three. The Lakers trailed 5-2 going into the second quarter.
 
Green opens up the second quarter with her second goal, keeping the Lakers in the match. Moments after, Dunn scored her second goal of the game, narrowing the deficit to one. The Bearcats scored two consecutive goals, pushing their lead back to three. Junior Marley Hanlon got on the board for Mercyhurst, pushing the deficit back down to two. The Bearcats took a 7-5 lead into halftime.
 
Within the first 12 seconds of the third quarter, Hanlon scored her second goal of the game. McKendree proceeded to score five consecutive goals, to take a 12-6 lead heading into the fourth
 
In the fourth quarter, Dunn scored her third goal, giving her a hat trick on the day and narrowing the Bearcats lead to five. The Bearcats quickly responded, before senior Eva Henneman was able to get on the board for the Lakers. Green also scored her third goal of the game, making her the second Laker with a hat trick. The Bearcats proceeded to score two more goals, securing a 15-9 victory.
 
The Lakers return to the pool on April 10 as they prepare to play in the CWPA Championship in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their opponent is to be determined.