PITTSBURGH, Pa.  -- The No. 9-nationally ranked Grove City College women's water polo team opened Collegiate Water Polo Association Division III play this weekend by picking up five wins at Chatham University during the West Region at Central Region Tournament.

The Wolverines picked up a 10-5 win over Wheaton College (Ill.) and a 13-6 decision over host Chatham on Friday, March 5, before blitzing Macalester College 14-7, downing Carthage College 13-5 and stunning No. 8-ranked Washington & Jefferson College 13-5 on Saturday, March 6.

Five different Grove City players scored goals in the win over Wheaton. Sophomore Chelsea Johnson (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) fired in four goals while junior Brittany LaPalme (Hollywood, Fla./Thomas Aquinas) recorded three goals. Junior Lauren Baur (North Wales, Pa./North Penn), senior Kate Stiebler (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) and senior Amanda Thompson (Erie, Pa./McDowell) all scored once. Thompson also assisted on three goals.

Freshman goalkeeper Amanda Johnson (San Luis Obispo, Calif./San Luis Obispo) stopped four shots to secure the win. Baur and Chelsea Johnson each had five steals while Thompson tallied three thefts.

Against Chatham, Baur rifled in a season-high four goals to help lift the Wolverines to the win. Chelsea Johnson and LaPalme both scored three times while Stiebler, Thompson and freshman Amanda Brush (Charlton, N.Y./Schenectady Christian) each scored once. Stiebler and Thompson each had two assists while Brush posted one assist.

Amanda Johnson recorded five saves in goal while sophomore Amy Fleming (Annandale, Va./Annandale) stopped three shots. Thompson had five steals while Baur and Stiebler each picked up three takeways.

The Wolverines bolted to a 10-1 halftime lead against Macalester en route to their third straight win. Thompson rang up six goals while Stiebler added three goals. Chelsea Johnson and LaPalme each scored twice. Baur also scored for the Wolverines.

Amanda Johnson stopped 14 shots in goal and also recorded a team-high four steals for Grove City.

Chelsea Johnson's career-high seven goals helped vault Grove City to its win over Carthage. Stiebler and Thompson both scored three times. Thompson assisted on two other goals and racked up six steals. Stiebler added four takeaways.

Amanda Johnson stopped 10 shots and recorded four steals.

In the Wolverines' finale against W&J, Grove City stormed out to a 13-2 lead behind seven goals from Chelsea Johnson. Stiebler scored four times in the win and LaPalme added a goal. Thompson assisted on three scores while Baur had one assist. Amanda Johnson stopped 15 shots to preserve the win.

Release courtesy Grove City Athletic Communications