ERIE, Pa. –The Salem University women's water polo team narrowly fell to Division I Virginia Military Institution 13-12, Friday night in the first game of the Mercyhurst Invite. 
 
This marks the fifth-straight game against a Division I opponent. 
 
Salem recorded 27 shots to VMI's 36, while the Tigers held a high shooting percentage at .444, as VMI posted a .361 shooting percentage. 
 
Freshman Annefleur ten Bloemendal lead they way offensively for the Tigers as she notched a team-high four goals with two assists for a game-high six points. 
 
Freshman Erin Zappia and freshman Margherita Garibbo each netted three goals, while junior Maryanna Antoniou produced two. 
 
Defensively, Zappia snagged three steals in the contest. 
 
Freshman goalkeeper Philippa Piper notched 13 saves, with 13 goals against. 
 
The Tigers garnered the first point of the game as Garibbo scored on even strength off an assist from freshman Chloe Woodbine for a 1-0 lead with 6:33 remaining in the first period. 
 
VMI held a 5-2 lead at the end of the first period, as Salem cut the lead to 8-5 after the second period. 
 
The Tigers outscored VMI 4-2 in the third period but fell just short in the fourth period. 
 
Salem is back in action tomorrow in the Mercyhurst Invite with a match against Iona at 2:00 p.m. and the host Mercyhurst at 5:45 p.m.