April 1, 2006

Grove City tops W&J twice to earn title

WHEATON, Ill. -- The Grove City College women's water polo team won the Wheaton (Ill.) Invitational title Saturday afternoon with a come-from-behind 8-4 victory over archrival Washington and Jefferson in the championship match at the Chrouser Aquatic Center.

Earlier Saturday, Grove City earned a berth in the finals with an 8-6 victory over the Presidents.

In the championship match, Grove City (8-10) trailed 4-1 at the half but stormed back over the final two periods. Junior Caitlin Ewing (Grafton, Wis./Grafton) fired in five second-half goals to lead the comeback effort while senior Lauren Schade (McDonald, Pa./West Allegheny), freshman Kristen Kerchner (West Lake Village, Calif./West Lake) and freshman Liza McRuer (Irvine, Calif./University) all scored once.

McRuer also had two assists while senior Cecelia Larsen (Federal Way, Wash./Tacoma Baptist) had three assists and three steals. Schade, freshman C.J. Foldberg (Atascadero, Calif./Atascadero) and Kerchner all assisted on one goal each. Kerchner also registered three steals.

Sophomore goalkeeper Keala Walter (Newberg, Ore./Newberg) stopped 15 of 19 shots faced.

Ewing also scored five goals in Grove City's first victory over Washington and Jefferson. Kerchner added a pair of scores while junior Virginia Larsen (Federal Way, Wash./Tacoma Baptist) also scored once.

McRuer dished out two assists while Foldberg, Virginia Larsen, sophomore Caroline Walker (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem), Schade, Ewing and senior Ashlee Earl (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South) all tallied one assist.

Walter recorded 16 saves while McRuer had six steals.

Grove City will host Mercyhurst and Gannon next Saturday, April 8, in Collegiate Water Polo Association Western Division play, starting at 12 p.m.

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