Women's Water Polo | February 18, 2023

ERIE, Pa. – The La Salle women's water polo team faced familiar opponents Gannon and Mercyhurst in the second day of the Mercyhurst Invitational winning both games by double-digit margins to secure the Explorers' fifth-straight win of the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (GANNON):

• La Salle jumped out to an early 8-2 lead over the Golden Knights after the first eight minutes of the game.
• The Explorers extended their lead to 10 at the end of the first half putting up another five goals in the second period while keeping Gannon to just one, 13-3.
• La Salle's scoring slowed in the final 16 minutes, but still held a 4-2 advantage over the Golden Knights for the 17-4 victory.
• Francesca Co' led the game with a team-high five goals. Casey Malone joined in on the scoring with four goals in the game.
• Five other Explorers recorded a goal in the game, two of which secured multiple goals.
• Claire Durham was strong on the defensive side with a team-high four steals alongside Tatum Lomax who added four steals. Lomax also recorded the only block of the game.
• Malone served as the key distributor of the ball with a team-high four assists.
• Caitlin Valentine was strong in the net recording one steal and nine saves.
• The Explorers held the advantage in sprints over the Golden Knights, 3-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED (MERCYHURST):

• The Explorers started the game in a familiar fashion putting up six goals in the first period while holding the Lakers to just three to take an early three-goal lead.
• The second period was no different than the first with La Salle securing another six goals in the eight minutes this time keeping Mercyhurst to just one for a 12-4 edge heading into the second half.
• La Salle put up another nine goals in the second half including five in the final eight minutes while only allowing another three from the Lakers for the 21-6 victory.
• Shanna Zuanich and Madelyn Koerper shared the bulk of the scoring for the Explorers registering five goals apiece.
• Six other Explorers recording goals including three with multiple goals.
• Co' took a break from offense and stepped up on defense with a team-high five steals and three drawn exclusions.
• Valentine shared duties in the goal with Emma Gurasich. Valentine recorded six saves and two steals while Gurasich tallied one assist and five saves.
• The sprints were even between the Explorers and the Lakers, 2-2.

UP NEXT:

• La Salle returns to the pool tomorrow, Feb. 19 for its final game of the Mercyhurst Invitational against Bucknell at 10:30 a.m.