April 19, 2008

Mercyhurst vs. Indiana
Mercyhurst vs. Gannon

Grove City, Pa. - After falling to 18th-ranked Indiana Saturday morning in the CWPA Western Division Championship semifinals, the Mercyhurst women's water polo team rallied behind senior Carrie Willison's 11-point performance to rout Gannon 16-5 and take third place in the tournament.

With the third-place finish, the Lakers (14-6) put themselves in position to earn one of the at-large berths to the Eastern Championships. Selection will be announced Monday at 10 a.m. Should Mercyhurst get picked, it will be the first time berth for a Division II program since the field expanded in 2003.

Willison's season-high six goals were accompanied by a season-high five assists. The outburts also came on the heels of a five-goal, two-assist performance in Friday's opening round game against Washington & Jefferson.

She received plenty of support, as well, with senior Christine Somera recording four goals, two assist, two steals and one drawn ejection. Freshman Rachel Griepsma tacked on four goals, three steals and an assist.

Despite the lop-sided final score, the game was closely contested early, with the two rivals closing the first period in a 2-2 deadlock. Mercyhurst, however, outscored Gannon 7-2 in the second period and tacked on two more in the third and five more in the final frame to pull away.

Christie Haibach and Renee Sander each scored one goal for the Lakers, as well. Senior Rhonda Marable added three assists and two steals. Senior Goalie Gina Mieras tallied 12 saves.

It was Mercyhurst's second win over Gannon this season, and in those games, the Lakers have outscored the Golden Knights 31-14. It is also the first time in the seven-year history of the program that they have topped Gannon twice in the same season.

The Lakers reached the third-place game after dropping a 16-6 decision to Indiana earlier Saturday. The Hoosiers jumped out to an 8-4 halftime lead with a five-goal second period and continue to pull away by scoring four goals in each of the final two sessions and holding the Lakers to just two second-half goals.

Still, freshman Rachel Griepsma managed five goals, giving her nine on the day, 13 in the tournament and 79 on the season, which is the third-best single-season performance in school history.

Willison scored the Lakers' only other goal. She finished the tournament with 12 goals and seven assists.

If the Lakers are selected to the Eastern Championships, they will travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., for the first round on April 25.