GROVE CITY, Pa. - Freshman Kennedy Watson scored six goals, continuing a torrid start to her rookie season, to lift the Mercyhurst University women's water polo team to a 16-9 victory at Grove City College on Wednesday night. The Lakers improved to 8-7 overall on the season.

Watson, who also added three assists on Wednesday for a nine-point effort, now has 46 goals and 13 assists for 59 points in 13 games in her freshman campaign.

Grove City led 4-2 after the opening quarter before the Lakers outscored the Wolverines, 6-0, in the second quarter to take an 8-4 lead at halftime. Mercyhurst extended its lead to 14-8 after three quarters and then outscored Grove City, 2-1, in the fourth for the final margin.

Junior Meagan Marques also had a big game for the Lakers, contributing five goals and a team-high tying four steals, in the win. Sophomore Becky Insalaco scored three times while junior Aleeyse Utech and sophomore Jena Clinch also scored for the Lakers.

Both sophomore Rachel Stock and junior Jesse Sworden appeared in goal Sworden having more success on Wednesday. Stock had just one save while allowing four goals. Sworden allowed five goals but had seven saves and a steal for the victory.

The Lakers will play four exhibition contests at the Bucknell Invitational this Saturday and Sunday, March 28 and 29. Mercyhurst will play Carnegie Mellon and Pittsburgh on Saturday and then will take on Penn State and West Chester on Sunday.