LEWISBURG, PA – The La Salle women's water polo team opened the Bucknell Invitational on Saturday, claiming a hard-fought 11-9 win over Saint Francis before falling to host Bucknell 16-12 in the nightcap.

La Salle started the day strong, outlasting Saint Francis with a decisive fourth-quarter surge to secure the win.

The Explorers displayed a balanced offensive attack against Saint Francis as Claire Durham, Samara Eschleman, Claire McCulloch, Ella Tice, and Whitney Wood all tallied two goals in the victory.

In goal, Lily Kirby anchored the defense with 12 saves, three assists and a steal.

The teams were tied 7-7 entering the fourth, where La Salle outscored Saint Francis 4-2 to pull away.

La Salle closed the double header with a 16-12 loss to Bucknell, dropping to 2-1 on the year. The Explorers traded early goals and trailed 6-4 after the first quarter, then 9-6 at halftime.

Bucknell pulled away in the third to take a five-goal lead and the victory.

Samara Eschleman led the scoring with a hat trick on four shots.

Grace Smith added two goals and two assists, firing a team-high seven shots, while McCulloch dished out a team-best three assists.

Durham chipped in two goals, one assist and a shot block and Kirby turned away 11 shots in goal.

La Salle (2-1) continues play at the Bucknell Invitational on Sunday, facing Occidental (0-6) at 10:20 a.m.