LEXINGTON, Va. -- A rally fell short but a team rebounded in game two as the Virginia Military Institute women's water polo team split its two games during day three of the 2014 VMI Classic. In the first game of the day, VMI rallied for four goals back, but fell just short as Gannon University topped VMI 13-12. But the Keydets rebounded in their second game of the day, besting Grove City College 18-6.
Mackenzie Perkins was VMI's top scorer against Gannon, potting four goals while sophomore Caitlyn Jackson scored three times. Cecilya Lundy and Celine Lazzaro notched two goals apiece while Molly Andoe logged one marker.
Shanen Lazenby was the top goal-getter in the game, scoring five times. Teammate Janelle McDaniels netted four goals while Katelyn Jacobs was the only other Golden Knight to score multiple goals. Tricia Gajewski scored one goal for Gannon.
Between the pipes, sophomore Emily Cait Farsakian made six saves, stopping three in the fourth quarter and another two in the third. Her opposite, Emily Rodriguez, made eight saves in the first game of the day at Clark King Pool.
With three minutes left in the game, the Keydets (4-4) trailed the Golden Knights 12-8, but scored three-unanswered goals to challenge Gannon, Perkins scored twice, including an extra-man goal with 1:20 left in the game to make it a 13-12 game. Lundy scored between Perkins' goals, but the rally fell short, handing VMI its only loss in five games at home this season.
The lead was never in doubt for VMI against Grove City as Jackson scored five goals, book ending her efforts with three in the first and two in the fourth. Bailey Huddleston notched a hat trick while Lundy, Andoe, Justina Dunne, and Heather Magill all scored two goals. Perkins and Elise Reed struck once each.
Five of Grove City's six goals came from the hand of Jocelyn Hinkle, including three in the fourth quarter. She scored once in the first and once in the third. Ashley Henderson was the only other Wolverine to record a goal.
Farsakian had seven saves in VMI's final home game of the season, stopping three in the first and two in second. She made two saves in the second half, once in each quarter. In goal for Grove City, Mary Frank made three saves, two of which came in the second quarter.
VMI returns to the pool on March 7 as the Institute begins its Spring Furlough. The Keydets head west to open the break at the Claremont Convergence in Claremont, Calif. VMI kicks off on Friday with La Verne and Cal Lutheran. The first game begins at 11:20 a.m. (PST) and the second at 3:20 p.m. (PST). The La Verne game will be played at the school's Las Flores Park Pool, while the second game is at Axelrood Pool on the campus of Claremont McKenna Colleges.
