LEXINGTON, Va. -- Fans of offense would have loved to watch the Virginia Military Institute women's water polo team Saturday as the Keydets combined for 37 goals in two games during day two of the VMI Classic. The Keydets edged Mercyhurst University 18-15 while besting Penn State-Behrend 19-5 at Clark King Pool.
The Keydets improved to 3-0 during the Classic, while bumping their season record to 3-3.
Not only did the Keydets get scoring in bunches, but they got it from a variety of sources. Against Mercyhurst, VMI got goals from six different players, while nine different Keydets scored against Penn State-Behrend. In VMI's first game, Celine Lazzaro and Caitlyn Jackson potted five goals apiece, while Cecilya Lundy scored four times. Senior Molly Andoe netted two goals while Bailey Huddleston and Mackenzie Perkins scored once each.
In goal against the Lakers, Emily Cait Farsakian stopped seven shots, including three in the first quarter, helping VMI out to a 9-4 advantage after the first eight minutes.
Mercyhurst's offense was led by Jena Clinch, who scored five times, while Meagan Marques struck four times. Cailin Jope scored twice while Annie Blackman and Katelyn Jeffrey struck once each. Jesse Sworden made eight saves in goal for the Lakers, while Rachel Stock made one stop in the fourth quarter.
Huddleston led the Keydets against the Lions of Penn State-Behrend, scoring four of the team's 19 goals. Sierra Payne logged a hat trick, scoring once in the first, second and fourth quarters. Lundy, Lazzaro, Perkins, Jackson and Elise Reed posted two goals apiece.
Farsakian was once again stout in goal, making 12 saves and limiting the Lions to just five tallies. The five goals allowed ties the season-low mark for a VMI opponent, drawing even with VMI's 18-5 win last night over Notre Dame College.
Paula Rusca led the Lions' offensive efforts with a hat trick, scoring twice in the second and once in the third. Brittany Pinter struck once in the second while Breanne Martinez scored in the fourth. The Lions were held scoreless until the start of the second quarter. Kara Stegmann stopped eight shots in the game, including four in the fourth quarter.
During VMI's second game, the Keydet donned pink caps in support of breast cancer research through a Play 4Kay event to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Through Saturday, the Keydets have raised over $3,000 during the event.
VMI opens up action on the third and final day of the event, taking on Gannon University at 8 a.m. on Sunday. Grove City College and Washington & Jefferson College square off at 9:30 a.m., followed by Gannon versus Penn State-Behrend at 11 a.m. The Keydets take on Grove City at 12:30 p.m. the 15th and final game of the 2014 VMI Classic.
Below are full results from day two of the VMI Classic
Game #3: Mercyhurst 18, Washington & Jefferson 8
Game #4: Gannon 12, Notre Dame College 7
Game #5: Grove City 14, Penn State-Behrend 4
Game #6: VMI 18, Mercyhurst 15
Game #7: Gannon 15, Washington & Jefferson 3
Game #8: Notre Dame College 14, Grove City 10
Game #9: VMI 19, Penn State-Behrend 5
Game #10: Mercyhurst 15, Grove City 8
Game #11: Washington & Jefferson 12, Notre Dame College
