ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon women's water polo team begins its 2016 campaign this weekend with five matches at the Mercyhurst Invitational hosted by the Cathedral Prep (Pa.) High School's David Hallman Aquatics Center.
Gannon hits the water for the first time Friday, February 19 against Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) rival California State University Monterey Bay beginning at 8 p.m. The Lady Knights will face NCAA Division I programs Siena (1 p.m.) and Villanova (4 p.m.) on Saturday, February 20. The three-day event concludes Sunday, February 21 against St. Francis (N.Y.) (12:45 p.m.) and Washington & Jefferson (4:30 p.m.).
Head coach
Sean Morphy's squad returns 17 letterwinners and nine Lady Knights who earned starting assignments last season. Gannon lost only two student-athletes who saw playing time from last season's roster. The Lady Knights bring back 93 percent (123-132) of their scoring production from last year's 3-15 squad that finished fifth at the WWPA Championships.
Sophomore
Alison Cooney (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) returns as Gannon's leading scorer with 37 goals and 24 steals last season. Senior
Shanen Lazenby (Erie, Pa./McDowell) and sophomore
Liz Barr (Honolulu, Hawaii/'Iolani School) follow with 21 and 16 scores, respectively. Sophomore
Francesca Williamson (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley Liberal Arts) completes Gannon's group of double-digit scorers from a year ago with 14 goals.
Junior
Emily Rodriguez (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) logged all but eight minutes in goal last season, producing a 12.11 goals against average and .409 save percentage.
California State University Monterey Bay brings an 0-7 record into Friday's contest, but all seven contests have come against NCAA Division I programs. Villanova owns a 3-5 record while St. Francis (N.Y.) is winless in four attempts. Siena and Washington & Jefferson open their respective seasons this weekend.
