BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Gannon University women's water polo team split a pair of matches during the first day of action at the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Western Division Championships hosted by Indiana University. Gannon lost to No. 19 Hartwick College, 19-4 before defeating Salem International University, 17-8.

As the fifth seed in the tournament the Lady Knights faced off with fourth-seeded Hartwick in the opener. Gannon trailed 4-1 after the first eight minutes before being out-scored by the same margin in the second quarter to trail 8-2 at the half.
Hartwick put the game out of reach in the third quarter after exploding for nine goals. The Hawks held the Lady Knights scoreless during the eight-minute span. Gannon rallied to scored twice in the final quarter but fell by the 19-4 final.

Gannon's goals were scored by Colleen Harriger (Erie, Pa./McDowell), Molly Andrews (Tustin, Calif./Tustin) and Katelyn Jacobs (Brookfield, Ill./Lyons Township). Eleven different players scored for Hartwick.

In goal, Janelle Bartman (Darien, Ill./Adlai E. Stevenson) turned away eight shots.

Gannon rebounded in the second game to pick up a 17-8 win over Salem International thanks to a pair of high-scoring quarters. The Lady Knights opened the match with seven scores in the first quarter. The Gannon defense limited Salem International to a pair of scores to hold the 7-2 lead.

The two squads swapped scoring opportunities in the second and third quarters. Gannon out-scored Salem 3-1 in the second before Salem reversed the scoring edge in the third. The Lady Knights were able to close out the match with a 6-2 scoring edge in the fourth quarter.

Gannon was lead in scoring by Tricia Gajewski (Fairvew, Pa./Fairview) who netted four scores. Janelle McDaniels (Edwardsville, Pa./Wyoming Valley West) scored three while Andrews, Bailey Gadd (Golden, Colo./Lockwood) and Laurel Martinez (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) each scored twice.

Libbie Guina (Houston, Texas/Clear Brook) recorded five saves in goal.

The split moved the Lady Knights to 11-19 overall this season.

Release courtesy Gannon Athletic Communications