ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend women's water polo team dropped its final home game of the year to cross-town rival Gannon 22-7 on Tuesday night.

The Lions were only outscored by one in the second half, but could not overcome a big first-half deficit to get past the Golden Knights.

Gannon used a quick offensive attack to put nine goals on the board in the opening quarter en route to holding a 16-2 advantage at the break.  MaryEllen Spooner (Springfield, VA/West Springfield) scored both of the Behrend goals in the first half. 

With the second half underway, the Lions defense stepped up and held the Golden Knights to just six second-half goals.  The offense scored five, led by Spooner who netted three more.  Paula Rusca (Chicago, IL/Whitney Young) and Hannah Kelly (Elizabeth, PA/South Allegheny) each contributed one goal in the second half.  Despite the even play, Gannon's advantage was just too much.

Spooner's five goals nearly matched her season-high of six.  She also drew a team-high four kickouts to go with one steal.  Rusca tallied two assists and two steals with Lauren Rosato (Pittsburgh, PA/Chartiers Valley) dishing out two assists as well.  Mary Therese Causgrove (Erie, PA/McDowell) led the team with three assists.  Elizabeth Causgrove (Erie, PA/McDowell) stopped four shots in net and made six steals.

Behrend will be back in the water this weekend for the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) championships.