ERIE, Pa. - The Penn State Behrend women's water polo team was defeated by cross-town rival Mercyhurst 13-3 on Wednesday night.

The Lakers jumped out to an early 6-0 lead after the opening quarter and used a strong defensive effort to earn their eighth victory of the year.

After falling behind early, the Lions (0-13) answered with a goal midway through the second quarter.  Paula Rusca (Chicago, IL/Whitney Young) found the back of the net for her seventh goal of the year.  Mercyhurst came back with one of their own to regain the six-point advantage heading into the break.

Lindsay Musoleno (Hatfield, PA/North Penn) netted a back hand shot for her first of two goals in the third quarter, but that was all the scoring Behrend was able to manage on the Lakers' stingy defense.

Elizabeth Causgrove (Erie, PA/McDowell) continued to play well in net for the Lions with seven saves.  MaryEllen Spooner (Springfield, VA/West Springfield) contributed two assists for the Behrend offense with Anne Lawrence (State College, PA/State College) leading the defense with two steals.

The Lions will be back in the water on April 14 for the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Region Two Tournament in Utica, New York.  Behrend will play five games in two days starting with Connecticut College at 9 a.m.