EMMITSBURG, Md. (February 4, 2024) – It was a perfect weekend for Mount St. Mary's women's water polo at the VMI Invite, as they defeated Mercyhurst to win all four games for the weekend. The Mount also won a contest with the University of Toronto, which counts as an exhibition since it was against an international team.
 
Ana Luisa Cotta and Anita Radaelli had the lion's share of the goals in the Mercyhurst game. Both recorded multi-goal efforts with Cotta tallying four and Radaelli two. Robyn Currie assisted on almost half the goals, ending with five, and Heather Lock finished with four drawn exclusions.
 
A strong second quarter paced the Mountaineers to the victory. Trailing 3-2 after one, the Mount compiled five scores against the Lakers' one to take a 7-4 lead at the break. The two sides played even in the second half on the way to the 11-8 final.
 
In the Toronto game – an 11-7 decision – Lock and Beatrice Vieira finished with hat tricks, and Emily Van Kerckhove earned six drawn exclusions.  
 
With the win over the Lakers, the Mount is off to a 6-1 start for the season.
 
A tournament at Bucknell is on schedule next weekend. In addition to rematches with Mercyhurst and Villanova, the Mount challenges La Salle and Saint Francis U.
 
Mount St. Mary's 11, Mercyhurst 8   
 
Team                  1    2    3    4
Mount St. Mary's      2    5    1    3
Mercyhurst            3    1    1    3
 
Goals: Cotta 4, Radaelli 2, Vieira 1, Currie 1, Valentine 1, Davis 1, Thompson 1

Saves: Keyser 5, Fernie 1   
 
Mount St. Mary's 11, Toronto 7 (Exhibition)
 
Team                  1    2    3    4
Mount St. Mary's      2    4    5    0
Toronto               2    1    3    1
 
Goals: Vieira 3, Lock 3, Cotta 2, Valentine 1, Kegel 1, Radaelli 1

Saves: Keyser 3, Fernie 3