March 29, 2008

Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst women's water polo freshman Rachel Griepsma totaled 15 goals in two games Saturday, scoring a career-high eight in a 12-5 win over Villanova after recording seven in a 20-13 loss to Iona.

Griepsma's 15 goals brings her season total to 49 through just 12 games, which ranks her seventh among Mercyhurst's single season goal leaders. Saturday's outburst also gives her 22 goals in the last three games.

The Lakers kicked off the weekend event against Iona Saturday morning and despite Griepsma's seven goals, Iona proved too much. Iona built a 5-3 lead after one period and increased the advantage to 8-5 at the half. Iona refused to the let the Lakers pull close, as it added five more in the third and seven in the fourth.

The 20 goals posted by Iona was the most allowed by the Lakers all year, matching the 17 that Wagner scored on March 1.

Christie Haibach added two goals and two assists, Chrissy Genian totaled three assists and a goal, and Christine Somera posted two assists, two steals and a goal. Gina Mieras made nine saves in goal for the Lakers.

The Lakers quickly rebounded, though, knocking off homestanding Villanova behind Griepsma's eight goal, four steal performance. Mercyhurst blew open a 7-4 halftime lead by outscoring the Wildcats 3-0 in the third.

Somera helped the Laker cause with an impressive all-around game, scoring three goals and recording three assists, four drawn ejections and five steals. Haibach also scored once and tallied a pair of steals.

With the split, the Lakers--ranked No. 8 in the lastest Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Top 10 Poll--move to 8-4 on the season. Mercyhurst faces Utica Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia. Game time is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.