LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The Rock opened its 2008 season Saturday with a pair of losses in the ECAC Championships hosted by Bucknell University.

SRU lost a 16-3 decision to 19th-ranked Bucknell (11-2) and dropped a 9-7 decision to Mercyhurst. 

Heather Walbright scored three goals, handed out one assist and had one steal to lead The Rock scoring attack, while Beth Choike scored two goals and had one assist and three steals.

Walbright scored two of The Rock's goals and had one steal vs. Bucknell; Megan Jo Ramage accounted for the other tally.

Sarah Sander assisted on two goals vs. Bucknell, Choike had one assist and one steal and Betsy Wilson had one steal. Goalie Lauren Surbaugh recorded six saves and five steals.

The Rock held 3-1 and 3-2 leads at the end of the first periods vs. Mercyhurst, but could not hold off the Lakers.

Choike and Wilson each scored two goals vs. Mercyhurst, while Sander, Walbright and Casey Edmundsen each scored one goal.

Choike also had two steals, while Wilson had one assist and one steal. In addition to their goals, Sander had two steals and Walbright picked up an assist.

Surbaugh recorded nine saves and two steals vs. Mercyhurst.

Saturday's losses dropped The Rock into the seventh-place game, which will be played at 9 a.m. Sunday. The Rock will face Grove City.

Following Sunday's game, The Rock turns its attention to three Collegiate Water Polo Association Western Division games in as many days next weekend.

SRU will play a 7:30 p.m. game Friday at Washington & Jefferson, host 12th-ranked Michigan at noon next Saturday (March 8) in the Morrow Field House pool and go to Gannon for a 5 p.m. game March 9.