LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Mercyhurst University women's water polo team suffered a pair of losses on Saturday as the team opened Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) action at Bucknell University. The Lakers dropped Saturday's opener by a 12-2 final against Harvard University and then fell by a 16-7 margin against Brown University in the nightcap. With the losses, Mercyhurst dropped to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in CWPA play.

In the opener, the Lakers could muster only two goals, both of which came in the third quarter, against a stiff Harvard defense. Junior Meagan Marques and freshman Katie Appell had the goals for Mercyhurst while junior goalkeeper Jesse Sworden had a dozen saves and four steals in the loss.

Freshman Kennedy Watson and junior Annie Blackman had two steals apiece while freshman Cristal Maldonado led the team with three drawn ejections.

Mercyhurst fell behind, 10-1, after the first half against Brown in the nightcap and could not rebound despite playing the Bears even in the second half, 6-6.

After being held scoreless, for the first time in her short collegiate career, in the opener against Harvard, Watson led the Lakers with four goals, six steals, and one drawn ejection. Through six games, Watson has totaled 21 goals and six assists for 27 points and earned a spot on the CWPA honor roll after her first collegiate weekend last Saturday and Sunday.

Marques, Appell, and sophomore Jena Clinch scored the other goals for the Lakers. Sophomore Becky Insalaco led the squad with three drawn ejections.

Sworden started again in goal and posted five saves and an assist in the loss.  

Mercyhurst will play two more conference games on Sunday. The Lakers will square off against George Washington University at 10:20 a.m. and then will play against Princeton University at 3:40 p.m.