The Gannon University women's water polo team split the opening day of the Robinette Invitational on Saturday afternoon inside Hallman Aquatics Center. The Golden Knights lost their first match to tournament host Mercyhurst with a score of 12-8. However, they bounced back to secure an exciting 15-13 overtime victory against Washington & Jefferson.
 
How it Happened – Game 1 vs. Mercyhurst 
 
The Golden Knights' fourth-quarter rally fell just short as Mercyhurst used a 3-1 fourth quarter to earn a 12-8 victory at Hallman Aquatics Center during Gannon's first game at the Robinette Invitational. 
 
Gannon took an early 2-0 lead over the Lakers in the first quarter with back-to-back goals, first by Ellie Velasco (Bronx, Calif./Arlington) and then by Jade Strickland (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill). Mercyhurst responded with a goal, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Emma O'Gorman (Johannesburg, South Africa/St Stithians College) then extended the Golden Knights' lead to 3-1. The Lakers managed to score again in the opening quarter, bringing it to 3-2. However, Strickland added another goal for Gannon with just five seconds remaining in the quarter, ending it with a score of 4-2 in favor of the Golden Knights.
 
Mercyhurst used a 3-1 second quarter to even the score 5-5 before the break.  Strickland scored Gannon's final goal of the first half, marking her third goal of the game. In the second half, Mercyhurst took a 7-3 lead over the Golden Knights. Emma O'Gorman (Johannesburg, South Africa/St Stithians College) scored Gannon's only goal in the third quarter. With 7:16 left in the game, Velasco narrowed the score to 9-7, and Delaney Chrysle (Banning, Calif./Beaumont) added Gannon's final goal at 3:13, making it 10-8 in favor of the Lakers. However, Mercyhurst shut down Gannon's late rally and extended their lead with two additional goals, securing a 12-8 victory.
 
 
Inside the Numbers – Game 1 vs. Mercyhurst 

• Jade Strickland (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill) scored three goals on eight shots and added an assist for the Golden Knights.
• Emma O'Gorman (Johannesburg, South Africa/St Stithians College) and Ellie Velasco (Bronx, Calif./Arlington) each contributed two goals. 
• Delaney Chrysle (Banning, Calif./Beaumont) added a goal as well to round of the Golden Knight scoring effort.
• In goal, Molly Sebunia (Erie, Pa./McDowell) recorded seven saves and made one steal in 24 minutes of action
• Izabella Trunzo (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) saved one shot during her eight minutes in the net.
• Mercyhurst held a 29-21 advantage in shots.
• Gannon finished 1-1 on penalty shots.

 
How it Happened – Game 2 vs. Washington and Jefferson
The Golden Knights secured their first win of the 2025 season, thanks to strong saves from Molly Sebunia (Erie, Pa./McDowell) and a five-goal performance by Molly Fehr (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria).
 
The Knights started strong, building a 3-0 lead before Washington and Jefferson managed to score. Emma O'Gorman (Johannesburg, South Africa/St Stithians College) netted three goals in the first quarter, with Fehr adding another, ending the opening quarter with a 4-2 advantage over the Presidents.
 
In the second quarter, both teams scored five goals each. Fehr contributed two more goals, while Jade Strickland (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill), Carissa Jones (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny), and Claire Rogillio (Austin, Texas/Anderson) also added to the scoring. The Golden Knights led 9-7 at halftime.
 
The intense back-and-forth battle saw the Presidents outscore Gannon in the second half, 4-2. They managed to tie the game with just 20 seconds left in regulation, which sent the match into overtime. Throughout the contest, Sebunia made several key saves to keep the score close.
 
In overtime, Jade Strickland (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill) scored off a penalty shot, and O'Gorman added an insurance goal, helping the Golden Knights secure a thrilling 15-13 victory.
 
Inside the Numbers – Game 2 vs. Washington and Jefferson

• Molly Fehr (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria) led the team with a total of five goals, taking eight shots. 
• Emma O'Gorman (Johannesburg, South Africa/St Stithians College) contributed four goals and provided one assist. 
• Jade Strickland (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill) and Brigid Carmody (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) each scored two goals. 
• Claire Rogillio (Austin, Texas/Anderson) and Carissa Jones (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny) each added one goal to the team's scoring effort.
•  In goal, Molly Sebunia (Erie, Pa./McDowell) achieved a season-high of 15 saves in 38 minutes of play.
• Washington and Jefferson outshot Gannon, 47-41.

 Up Next

Gannon will conclude the Robinette Invitational on Sunday, February 23. The Golden Knights are scheduled to compete against Penn State Behrend at 9:00 AM and Grove City at noon, inside the Hallman Aquatics Center.