ERIE, Pa. - The Penn State Behrend women's water polo team kicked off their season Saturday morning, playing host to Gannon in the Behrend Invitational. The Golden Knights came away with a 16-7 victory.

The Lions (0-1) slow start helped Gannon (3-6) build an early lead that was too much to overcome. Alison McClure (Loveland, OH/Milford) got Behrend on the board first, tying the game at one-all. It wasn't until the 5:58 mark of the second quarter the Lions would score again.

After a leading 4-1, the Golden Knights scored eight goals in the second quarter to take a 12-3 lead into the half. Campbell Ruh led the way with three of those goals. Jenessa Islas-Parker (Palatine, IL/Frema) and Maryn Horn (Houston, TX/Jersey Village) each tallied goals in the quarter.

Gannon added three more goals in the third compared to Behrend's one by Horn. Clare Jefferys (Erie, PA/Villa Maria Academy) added two goals in the final eight minutes of action and Lauren Wood (Vernon Hills, IL/Vernon Hills) added one of her own to help the Lions finish strong. They outscored the Golden Knights 3-1 to finish the game.

Behrend will be back in action tomorrow at 12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Game one will be against La Salle followed by a showdown with Mercyhurst at 4:30 to finish the tournament.