NEW LONDON, Ct. – The Penn State Behrend women's water polo team won once and fell twice in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Regional Tournament this weekend, hosted by Connecticut College. They lost to Connecticut College 10-8 and defeated Washington & Jefferson 9-6 on Saturday, but then fell to Grove City 9-7 on Sunday morning.
Game one against the Camels (1-0) was a tight match for majority of the contest. With the game tied at 6-all, Connecticut College went on a late four-goal run to edge the Lions (3-6), ending the final score 10-8.
Maryn Horn (Houston, TX/Jersey Village) and JoJo Gager (Holland, MI/West Ottawa) each made three steals while also dishing out an assist. Devon Van Rensburg (Johannesburg, South Africa/Crawford) tallied five drawn kickouts and two steals in the tough 10-8 loss.
Alison McClure (Loveland, OH/Milford) and Angela Laier (Lansing, MI/Holt) each notched two steals. Sophomore goalie Holly Rae Hanson (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/ Rancho Cucamonga) posted 14 saves and also registered two assists.
In game two against the Presidents (0-5), Behrend took control of the game early. Daniella Rio-Martinez (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Sagrados Corazones) and Lauren Wood (Vernon Hills, IL/Vernon Hills) scored two goals each to contribute to the Lions 6-1 advantage through the first three quarters.
In the fourth period, Washington & Jefferson put together a four-goal scoring streak to put them within striking distance. However, Horn shut down any hopes of coming back by burying a goal with 43 seconds remaining, securing the 9-6 win. Horn registered a team-high three goals while also tabbing two steals.
Wood, Rensburg, and Jenessa Islas-Parker (Palatine, IL/Frema) also posted two steals. Wood also dished out four assists while Islas-Parker notched two assists. Hanson made eight saves.
In the third and final game of the weekend, the Wolverines (2-1) scored five unanswered goals to erase a two-goal deficit and pick up a 9-7 victory over the Lions.
Rensburg got Behrend on the board early to find a lead, but Grove City responded a few minutes later with a pair of goals to hold a one-goal lead of their own.
After a back-and-forth second period, Rensburg posted two in the third quarter to give the Lions a 6-4 lead. However, like earlier in the match, Grove City answered back by tallying five consecutive goals throughout the third and fourth periods to make the score 9-6.
Horn tried to get Behrend back in it by scoring a goal with just 26 seconds left, but it was too late. She ended the game with two goals, two steals, and two drawn kickouts.
Islas-Parker recorded three steals and an assist. Remy De Guzman (Mission Viejo, CA/Trabuco Hills) and McClure each dished out two assists. Hanson posted eight saves in the game.
Behrend will look to for revenge on March 16 when they face-off against Grove City in a rematch. Game time is set for 7 p.m.