LEBANON, Illinois - As the busy non-conference portion of the season closes, the Salem Women's Water Polo team headed out to Lebanon, Illinois for the first of 2 Western Water Polo Association conference weekends to take care of their slate of conference games. This round was hosted by the Bearcats of McKendree University, and the Tigers faced some tough familiar foes. Overall, Salem went 1-2 on the weekend, and claimed their first conference win in the weekend finale. Each contest played out as follows: 

Mercyhurst 13, Salem 7

For the first matchup of the weekend, Salem faced the Lakers of Mercyhurst on Saturday afternoon. The Lakers jumped out to the early lead, but the Tigers responded with a goal from Iris Oudshoorn. Mercyhurst carried the lead again in the 2nd, but Salem kept the pressure on with a pair of scores from Courtney Repinz and Emma Donnelly. However, the Lakers went into the break with the lead, and Salem desperately needed to mount a comeback in the 2nd half. The Tigers made a valiant effort at that comeback, but ultimately fell by a final score of 13-7. Statistically, Salem was led by Courtney Repinz and Emma Donnelly, who both netted 2 goals for Salem. Repinz also added a pair of assists. Between the pipes, Salem got 3 saves and 3 steals from goalkeeper Emily Low.

McKendree 17, Salem 13

For Game 2 on Saturday evening, Salem battled with the host McKendree Bearcats. Things were neck and neck with both squads scoring twice in the first. In the second, it was an offensive showcase with a total of 9 goals between the Tigers and Bearcats. Unfortunately, it was the Bearcats who held the advantage going into the second half 8-5. Salem rallied and responded with 6 goals of their own in the 3rd, and then another pair in the 4th, but it was not quite enough to keep pace with the Bearcats. Despite the loss, Salem did have some strong individual performances. First off, Courtney Repinz showed off her passing prowess by tallying 5 assists on Tiger goals. Salem's scoring leaders were Taeghen Hack and Faith Stewart who each dropped in 4 goals for the Tigers. Hack also added an assist of her own to tie Repinz for overall points. In goal, Emily Low tallied 9 saves and 2 steals for the Tigers.

Salem 15, Gannon 13

In the final contest of the weekend for Salem, the Tigers faced off with Gannon for the second time this season. Salem took an initial lead with 7 goals in the first, and then added 3 more in the second to go into the break with a 10-7 advantage over Gannon. In the second half, Salem held off the advances of the Golden Knights, and grinded out a tight 15-13 victory over Gannon. Statistically, it was Cutino Award watchlist nominee Taeghen Hack who accounted for 10 of Salem's points with a dominant 9 goals and an assist. In goal, Emily Low blocked a bevy of Gannon shots to earn a total of 13 saves. 

With the win to close out the weekend, Salem should have some momentum as they enter their second round of conference play. Those 3 contests are set for April 6th and 7th in Erie, Pennsylvania.