EMMITSBURG, Md. (February 3, 2024) – Victories over McKendree and Gannon bumped Mount St. Mary's women's water polo to 5-1 on the season during the first day of the VMI Invite. The Mount defeated the Bearcats 18-15 and the Golden Knights 10-5.  
 
Ana Luisa Cotta scored eight times on the day, including six in the opening game. Rebecca Valentine added a hat trick in the McKendree contest as well. Anna Kegel matched Valentine's goal effort in the opener and delivered five assists in the Gannon showdown. Altogether the team drew 25 exclusions and penalties, resulting in 15 power play and 5-meter goals.
 
Against McKendree, the Mountaineers built up a 3-0 run and were able to build a steady lead from there. A 7-4 halftime lead and seven goals in the third period proved more than enough to fend off a 5-0 Bearcats sprint, and goals by Cotta and Valentine alongside a Kegel penalty iced the game.
 
Defense came into full force in the Gannon game, shutting out the Golden Knights in the first half. A 4-0 nest egg helped the team hold off an opposing charge that pulled the contest to 7-5, and the Mount cemented the game with the final three goals.
 
Sunday (Feb. 4) features an exhibition game against Toronto followed by a showdown with Mercyhurst.
 
Mount St. Mary's 18, McKendree 15   
 
Team                  1    2    3    4
Mount St. Mary's      4    3    7    4
McKendree             1    3    5    5
 
Goals: Cotta 6, Valentine 3, Kegel 3, Lock 2, Vieira 1, Currie 1, Davis 1, Thompson 1  

Saves: Fernie 9  
 
Mount St. Mary's 10, Gannon 5
 
Team                  1    2    3    4
Mount St. Mary's      1    2    3    4
Gannon                0    0    4    1
 
Goals: Currie 2, Cotta 2, Radaelli 2, Vieira 1, Valentine 1, Lock 1, Thompson 1  

Saves: Keyser 6