ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend women's water polo team fell to Notre Dame College 10-1 on Wednesday evening in the Junker Center.

The Lions (0-3) fell behind early, but clamped down on defense to keep the game close.  Behrend gave up four goals in the opening quarter to four different Falcons.  After allowing three within the first two minutes, the Lions only allowed six for the remainder of the game.

At the 5:21 mark of the first quarter, Elizabeth Causgrove (Erie, PA/McDowell) came up big for Behrend in net.  Notre Dame College at a player open in front of the net, but Causgrove denied the 1-on-1 shot to keep the score at 3-0 in favor of the Falcons. Notre Dame College goalie Julie Vanderpool was just as effective between the pipes as she stopped back-to-back shots by Emily Spicher (Falls Creek, PA/DuBois) and MaryEllen Spooner (Springfield, VA/West Springfield) at the 4:21 mark that could have swung the momentum.

In the second quarter, the Lions defense continued to play well.  On the Falcons opening possession of the second, Behrend forced a shot clock violation.  Three minutes later, Causgrove made a diving finger-tip save to stifle Notre Dame College.  Spooner was finally able to get the Lions on the board at the 3:23 mark after a long pass from Causgrove.  With only the keeper to beat, Spooner netted her third goal of the season.   Despite the solid defensive effort, Behrend still trailed 7-1 at the break.

With the second half underway, the two teams relied on their defenses.  The Lions only allowed three second-half goals, but could not find the back of the net on offense to catch the Falcons.

Causgrove made eight saves in net to go with four steals and one assist.  Spooner and Mary Therese Causgrove (Erie, PA/McDowell) each tallied two steals for Behrend.

The Lions will be back in the water tomorrow to host Grove City at 8 p.m.