ERIE, Pa. — The Washington & Jefferson College women’s water polo concluded a busy week by falling to Grove City College, 11-10, and defeating host Penn State Behrend, 11-10, during the Penn State Behrend Invitational.
In the day’s opening game versus the host Liona, the Presidents claimed a one-goal victory.
Tied at two-all following the first quarter, it was Penn State Behrend to pulled ahead as the Lions entered halftime with a 6-5 lead. However, W&J seized both the momentum and the lead in the third quarter as the Presidents outscored the Lions by a 4-2 margin to gain a 9-8 edge heading into the fourth quarter. Ryley McClellan (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) scored all four W&J goals in the decisive third quarter to push her squad ahead.
Each team found the back of the net twice in the fourth quarter as W&J held on to pick up the victory. Sydney Neumann (Long Beach, Calif./Millikan) tallied the eventual game-winner with 3:38 to play as the Presidents outlasted the Lions.
McClellan added three assists to her four-goal effort in the win. Megan DePrez (Claremont, Calif./Claremont) backed McClellan with three goals of her own.
Vanessa Gonzalez (La Verne, Calif./Bonita) registered a goal and a pair of assists, while Anastaica Didovich (Venice, Fla./Venice) posted a pair of field blocks.
Cecelia Weiss (Mohnton, Pa./Governor Mifflin) tallied 11 saves for the Presidents to earn the win.
The tables turned on W&J in the late game as Grove City escaped with an 11-10 victory.
The Wolverines built a 4-2 lead after the first quarter and acquired a 6-4 margin prior to halftime.
W&J seemed poised to pull out another second half comeback as Neumann registered three goals in the third quarter as W&J outscored Grove City by a 5-2 margin to take a 9-8 lead into the fourth quarter.
However, the Wolverines tossed in the first three goals off the fourth quarter to pull ahead 11-8 and hang on for a one-score win.
Trailing 11-9 with the clock winding down, Neumann scored with 2:03 to play to pull the Presidents within a goal. The Grove City defense stiffened as Washington & Jefferson was unable to put away the equalizer down the stretch.
Neumann finished with four goals in the loss. Laura Anthony (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) fired in three goals for W&J and Weiss notched eight saves in net.
Information courtesy Washington & Jefferson College Athletics Communications
