Spooner Sets Mark in Lions' Loss

ERIE, Pa. – Senior MaryEllen Spooner (Springfield, VA/West Springfield) set a new school record for career goals in the Penn State Behrend women's water polo team's 15-10 loss to Mercyhurst on Wednesday evening.

Needing just three scores to break the record, Spooner netted a game-high six goals to break Cara Ludwig's record of 125 that was set in 2007.

The first quarter saw a lot of action with six combined goals scored.  After Mercyhurst went up 1-0, the Lions (0-10) answered with a goal.  The Lakers once again went up by a goal, only to have Behrend tie the game at 2-all.  Mercyhurst netted the final two goals of the quarter to take a 4-2 lead. The Lakers doubled up the Lions again in the second quarter, outscoring Behrend, 6-3.

The Lions netted five second-half goals and did not allow Mercyhurst to get on the board in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to get the win.  The big first half by the Lakers proved to be the difference as Mercyhurst improved their record to 12-8.    

Spooner's record-setting day included four steals and one assist.  Paula Rusca (Chicago, IL/Whitney Young) had a solid day in the water with one goal and three assists as did Mary Therese Causgrove (Erie, PA/McDowell) who had the same statistical line.  Hannah Kelly (Elizabeth, PA/South Allegheny) netted two goals, both coming in the opening quarter.  Elizabeth Causgrove (Erie, PA/McDowell) made seven saves and tallied a team-high seven steals.

Behrend will be back in the water on April 5 to take on Utica and Carthage at 2:40 p.m. and 6:40 p.m., respectively.  Both games will be played at Carthage.