Lions Drop Two on First Day of CWPA Region One Tournament

WHEATON, IL - The Penn State Behrend women's water polo team fell twice on Friday at the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Region One Tournament. In their first game, Macalester defeated the Lions 15-2 before Utica upended Behrend 12-7 in the nightcap.

In game one, the Scots started the game on a 6-0 run and never looked back. After putting up four goals in the first and second quarters, Macalester held an 8-1 lead at the break.  

Heading into the second half, the Lions (0-8) defense held strong.  Led by Elizabeth Causgrove (Erie, PA/McDowell) in net, Behrend held the Scots scoreless in the third. However, the Lions were unable to cut into the deficit with a scoreless quarter as well.  

MaryEllen Spooner (Springfield, VA/West Springfield) scored her second goal of the game in the fourth, but it was not enough to catch Macalester.

After falling in their opening game, Behrend was set to play Utica for the second time in less than a week.  After the opening quarter, the Pioneers held a 3-1 lead. Spooner accounted for the loan Lions' goal.  Lindsay Musoleno (Hatfield, PA/North Penn) and Spooner both put up a goal for Behrend in the second, but the Lions found themselves still down by two at the midway point.

Once again, Behrend's defense stepped up in the third, holding Utica scoreless. The Lions were unable to score as well, but were still down only two heading into the final quarter. With 3:37 left to play, Paula Rusca (Chicago, IL/Whitney Young) netted a goal to cut the Pioneers' lead to 8-6.  Utica had an answer though with four straight goals over the final 3:35 to secure the victory.

Spooner led Behrend with six goals on the day.  Sarah Jelinek (Warren, PA/Warren) also contributed one goal in the second game.

The Lions will be back in the water tomorrow for the second day of the tournament. Behrend is set to play three games, starting with Carthage at 12 p.m.