ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Gannon women's water polo team finished on the wrong end of the score three times Saturday during the second day of the Michigan Invitational. The Lady Knights fell short against the University of Michigan (11-2), California Lutheran (12-5) and Mercyhurst (7-4).

In the opener, Michigan held a slim 2-1 lead after one quarter and a 3-1 edge at halftime. Ranked No. 13 nationally and No. 1 in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA), the Wolverines exploded for six unanswered goals during the third quarter for a commanding 9-1 lead. The home team out-scored Gannon 2-1 during the final eight minutes for an 11-2 win.

Colleen Harriger (Erie, Pa./McDowell) and Emily Sullivan (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling) scored Gannon's goals. Libbie Guina (Houston, Texas/Clear Brook) recorded eight saves in defeat.

In Saturday's middle contest, California Lutheran doubled up Gannon during the first and second quarters. The Regals held a 2-1 lead after one period and 6-3 advantage at the halftime break. The difference extended to 12-3 after three quarters, before California Lutheran settled for a 12-5 victory.

Kelsey Rzymek (Erie, Pa./McDowell) accounted for two of Gannon's five goals. Harriger, Molly Andrews (Tustin, Calif./Tustin) and Claire Smith (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) added one score each. Guina turned away six shots between the pipes.

Gannon and Mercyhurst battled to a 1-1 tie after one period during the night's final contest, before the Lakers surged ahead with a 4-2 scoring edge during the second quarter. Only three goals were tallied in a defensive second half. Mercyhurst produced the only goal of the third frame, before both teams scored once during the final eight minutes as the Lakers earned a 7-4 victory.

Harriger had two of Gannon's four scores.  Sullivan and Katelyn Jacobs (Brookfield, Ill./Lyons Township) chipped in one goal each. Janelle Bartman (Darien, Ill./Adlai E. Stevenson) recorded six saves during her first start of the day.

Gannon dropped to 6-16 with Saturday's three losses. Michigan improved to 11-9 while California Lutheran moved to 11-6. Mercyhurst, ranked 10th in the latest CWPA Top 10 Poll, increased its record to 5-8. The Lady Knights conclude play at the Michigan Invitational Sunday, March 18 against NCAA Division I Siena at 10:30 a.m.

---

Gannon Women's Water Polo Box Scores
University of Michigan Invitational
Saturday, March 17, 2012

Gannon vs. University of Michigan

Scores by Quarters
Gannon (1 – 0 – 0 – 1 – 2)
Michigan (2 – 1 – 6 – 2 – 11)

Gannon Goals (2)
Emily Sullivan (1)
Colleen Harriger (1)

Michigan Goals (11)
Kiki Golden (2)
Kelsey Nolan (2)
Lauren Colton (1)
Meagan Cobb (1)
Lauren Dudley (1)
Katie Hazelrigg (1)
Laura Milstead (1)
Audrey Pratt (1)
Lauren Thatcher (1)

Gannon Goalkeeper
Libbie Guina – 8 saves

Michigan Goalkeeper
Morgan Turner – 9 saves

Records
Gannon: 6-14
Michigan: 11-9


Gannon vs. California Lutheran

Scores by Quarters
Gannon (1 – 2 – 1 – 1 – 5)
California Lutheran (2 – 4 – 4 – 2 – 12)

Gannon Goals (5)
Kelsey Rzymek (2)
Colleen Harriger (1)
Molly Andrews (1)
Claire Smith (1)

California Lutheran Goals (12)
Christina Messer (5)
Morgan McCardell (3)
Kelsey Bergemann (2)
Kehua Ai (1)
Tiffany Ly (1)

Gannon Goalkeeper
Libbie Guina – 6 saves

California Lutheran Goalkeeper
Kylee Tomasetti – 17 saves

Records
Gannon: 6-15
California Lutheran: 11-6


Gannon vs. Mercyhurst

Scores by Quarters
Gannon (1 – 2 – 0 – 1 – 4)
Mercyhurst (1 – 4 – 1 – 1 – 7)

Gannon Goals (4)
Colleen Harriger (2)
Emily Sullivan (1)
Katelyn Jacobs (1)

Mercyhurst Goals (7)
Lisett Calderon (3)
Kimberly Goodhart (3)
Allie Grimes (1)

Gannon Goalkeeper
Janelle Bartman – 6 saves

Mercyhurst Goalkeeper
Hope Rozelle – 14 saves

Records
Gannon: 6-16
Mercyhurst: 5-8