WASHINGTON, Pa. — The Grove City College women’s water polo team opened Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III East play by earning a pair of victories at Washington & Jefferson College’s Henry Natatorium. Grove City pulled out a 14-13 win over Penn State Behrend in the day’s lidlifter, then thundered to a 16-5 victory over Utica University in the nightcap.
Senior Elaine Miller (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) paced Grove City in the opener by firing in seven goals. Junior Michelle Danley (Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood) scored three times, while senior Sophia Melanson (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) and freshman Kamryn Kerr (East Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) each registered a pair of goals in the victory.
Melanson and junior Reese Trauger (Perkasie, Pa./Pennridge) both recorded four assists. Danley and Kerr each assisted a pair of goals, while junior/goalie Tia Kannel (York, Pa./Central York) also assisted a goal.
Danley, Melanson and Miller led the defensive effort with two steals each. Kannel stopped eight shots in goal to earn the win.
Grove City stormed to a 12-0 halftime lead Saturday night against Utica. Twelve Wolverines scored in the win, led by two-goal outings from Kannel, Kerr, Trauger and freshman Sam Logue (Hollister, Calif./San Benito).
Danley, Melanson, Miller, senior Kyra Johnson (Hamilton, Va./Woodgrove), sophomore Clarie Lochstet (Ambler, Pa./Upper Dublin), freshman Riley McCullough (Spring, Texas/Oak Ridge), junior Emory Shepson (Grove City, Pa./Homeschooled) and freshman Mikayla Zablocki (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) also scored for Grove City.
Danley, Melanson, Miller and Trauger all had two assists. Kannel and McCullough each recorded assists. Trauger led the defense with five steals.
Kannel and Miller split time in goal for the Wolverines. Kannel made five saves and Miller stopped four shots.
Release courtesy Grove City College Athletics Communications
