NEW LONDON, Ct. – The Penn State Behrend women's water polo team won their Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Regional Tournament opening game 11-10 in overtime over Carthage Friday evening.
The Lions (2-4) erased a three-goal deficit late in the game against the Lady Reds (2-7) to register their first win in regional play.
After an evenly played first half, Carthage notched three goals in the third quarter to hold a 7-4 advantage. With 3:09 left in the period, Jenessa Islas-Parker (Palatine, IL/Frema) found the back on the net to cut that lead to two. Parker also added two steals and an assist in the game.
However, Lauren Wood (Vernon Hills, IL/Vernon Hills) and JoJo Gager (Holland, MI/West Ottawa) came in clutch down the stretch for the Lions, burying the last six goals for the team. Gager scored in the final 1:19 of the game to even the game at 8-all and send the game to overtime.
In overtime, Behrend went down a goal on two separate occasions, but Wood and Gager were able to continue their fourth-quarter fire power by converting on three goals to help pick up the win.
Wood ended the game with six goals, three steals, and two assists while Gager had two goals, two steals, and two assists. Alison McClure (Loveland, OH/Milford) also recorded three steals and an assist.
Holly Rae Hanson (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/ Rancho Cucamonga), Maryn Horn (Houston, TX/Jersey Village), and Devon Van Rensburg (Johannesburg, South Africa/Crawford) held down the fort on the defensive end. Hanson recorded 14 saves in net, while Horn and Rensburg tallied five and four steals respectively. Horn also added three assists and two drawn kickouts.
Behrend is back in the pool today with games against Connecticut College and Washington & Jefferson at 12:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. respectively.