Women’s Water Polo Tops Mercyhurst, La Salle at Marist Invitational

Saturday, February 22

Poughkeepsie, NY

10:30 AM

Brown University

Mercyhurst University

Women’s Water Polo Tops Mercyhurst, La Salle at Marist Invitational

2/22/2020 4:28:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Mercyhurst Results La Salle Results

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Brown University women's water polo tallied its eighth and ninth wins in its first 10 games of the 2020 season as the Bears topped Mercyhurst University, 13-4, and La Salle University, 13-10, on Saturday at the Marist Invitational at McCann Natatorium.

The Bears (9-1) outscored the Lakers (3-6), 5-0, in the second half on their way to the win in game one before gaining an edge as large as five goals in their victory in game two against the Explorers (5-9).

"It was good for us to be back in the pool, playing in a competitive game for the first time in three weeks," Brown head coach Felix Mercado said. "We know that we can continue to make a lot of improvement over the course of this season, but it's nice to be going home with two more wins."

Junior Kaitlyn Cook (Los Gatos, Calif.) and freshman Claire Pisani (Redwood City Calif.) each scored a hat trick against Mercyhurst while junior Carissa Perez (Pico Rivera, Calif.) totaled five points behind three goals and two assists against La Salle.

Next, Brown plays at the Harvard Invitational against Salem (Mar. 7, 10:30 a.m.), No. 24 Marist (Mar. 7, 7:15 p.m.), LIU (Mar. 8, 1:00 p.m.), and Iona (Mar. 8, 6:00 p.m.).

Game 1 – Brown 13, Mercyhurst 4

Junior Kaitlyn Cook and freshman Claire Pisani both scored hat tricks as Brown topped Mercyhurst, 13-4, on Saturday morning in its first game of the day at the Marist Invitational.

The Bears led 8-4 at halftime and then outscored the Lakers, 5-0, in the second half en route to their eighth win in nine games to open the season.

Pisani (Redwood City, Calif.) notched three goals and two steals while Cook (Los Gatos, Calif.) tallied three goals, one assist, and one steal.

Freshman Lily Weiser (Long Beach, Calif.) posted two goals, two assists, and a steal while fellow rookies Katie Dvonch (Seal Beach, Calif.) and Bryn Gioffredi (Laguna Beach, Calif.) each compiled two goals and an assist. Junior Lily Keck (La Jolla, Calif.) chipped in a goal, and freshman Zoe King (Almaden, Calif.) contributed three assists and three steals.

In the cage, senior goalkeeper Lauren Burns (Long Grove, Ill.) came up with three saves and a steal.

The Bears opened the contest with a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter behind goals from Keck, Cook, and Weiser.

A goal from Pisani staked Brown to a 4-0 edge early in the second quarter. Two goals from Dvonch and a 5-meter penalty goal from Gioffredi gave the Bears a 7-2 advantage later in the frame. A goal from Cook kept Brown up 8-4 at the break.

Pisani netted the only goal of the third quarter as the Bears led 9-4 heading to the final frame. Brown tallied all four of the fourth quarter's goals as Pisani and Gioffredi both scored and Cook and Weiser each converted 5-meter penalties.

Brown 13, Mercyhurst 4
Brown....................... 3…5…1…4…13
Mercyhurst............... 0…4…0…0…4
Brown Goals: Cook 3, Pisani 3, Dvonch 2, Gioffredi 2, Weiser 2, Keck.
Brown Saves: Burns 3.

Game 2 – Brown 13, La Salle 10

Junior Carissa Perez totaled five points, including a hat trick, as Brown defeated La Salle, 13-10, in its second game of the day on Saturday afternoon.

The Bears held a 7-3 lead at halftime, a 9-4 edge in the third quarter, and a 12-8 advantage in the fourth quarter on their way to the win over the Explorers.

Perez (Pico Rivera, Calif.) registered three goals, two assists, and a steal while senior Lexi Atwell (La Jolla, Calif.) tallied two goals, an assist, and two steals.

Freshmen Katie Dvonch (Seal Beach, Calif.) and Zoe King (Almaden, Calif.) each netted two goals, and fellow rookies Bryn Gioffredi (Laguna Beach, Calif.) and Lily Weiser (Long Beach, Calif.) each posted a goal and two assists. Gioffredi added three steals.

Freshman Linnea Kelly (Newport Beach, Calif.) compiled a goal and an assist, junior Kaitlyn Cook (Los Gatos, Calif.) scored a goal, and junior Lily Keck (La Jolla, Calif.) dished out three assists.

In the cage, sophomore goalie Marley Presiado (Newport Beach, Calif.) blocked five shots.

Brown opened the game with a 2-1 lead at the end of the first quarter behind goals from Perez and Cook.

The Bears continued a 5-0 run as Gioffredi, King, and Dvonch scored to give the Bears a 5-1 lead in the second quarter. Goals from Weiser and Perez pushed the margin to 7-2, and Brown remained ahead 7-3 at halftime.

Consecutive goals from Atwell staked Brown to a 9-4 edge in the third quarter before La Salle used a 3-0 run to move within 9-7. A goal from Perez kept the Bears up 10-7 heading to the fourth quarter.

Markers from Kelly and Dvonch allowed Brown to maintain a 12-8 lead in the fourth quarter, and a tally from King made the score 13-9 prior to the Explorers netting the game's final goal.

Brown 13, La Salle 10
Brown....................... 2…5…3…3…13
La Salle.................... 1…2…4…3…10
Brown Goals: Perez 3, Atwell 2, Dvonch 2, King 2, Cook, Gioffredi, Kelly, Weiser.
Brown Saves: Presiado 5.