WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Grove City College women's water polo team opened its 20th season of intercollegiate play Saturday by playing a pair of non-conference matches in Washington & Jefferson College's Henry Memorial Center. Grove City dropped an 8-5 verdict to Occidental in the opener, then fell to Wittenberg, 11-9, in the teams' first-ever meeting.

Junior Elizabeth Andrews (Newberg, Ore./Newberg) and sophomore Tessa Leatherwood (Hurst, Texas/Colleyville Covenant) both scored twice against Occidental while freshman Elaine Miller (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) added a goal. Freshman Sophia Melanson (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) assisted two goals while Leatherwood and senior Abby Spicher (Erie, Pa./McDowell) each had one assist.

Leatherwood led the defense with six steals while Andrews tallied four steals. In goal, sophomore Alexa Dunn (Girard, Pa./Girard) made nine saves. Occidental outscored Grove City 3-0 in the fourth period. Each team scored once in the first quarter, twice in the second and twice in the third period.

Grove City trailed 10-5 after three periods in the nightcap before scoring four times in the final quarter. Andrews and Leatherwood each scored four goals for the Wolverines while senior Heidi Schmidt (Pittsburgh, Pa./Trinity Christian) added her first goal of the season. Spicher tallied two assists while Andrews, Leatherwood and Melanson all had assists. 

Leatherwood collected three steals to lead the defensive effort. Andrews and Schmidt each added two steals. Dunn stopped three shots. 

Grove City (0-2) returns to action Friday with a pair of matches in Claremont, Calif. The Wolverines will face Cal Tech at 1 p.m. Eastern, then meet La Verne at 6 p.m.