Wheaton, Ill. - The Wheaton College women's water polo team made its season debut at home against the University of Notre Dame on Saturday as the Thunder fell 11-2.

The visiting Fighting Irish jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Thunder kept it close with a scoreless second quarter and then netted two goals in the third quarter. Notre Dame then put the game out of reach with six goals in the final quarter to clinch the game.

Heather Crockett and Emma Higgins scored the Wheaton goals.

"The first quarter showed how little time the team has had together," Wheaton head coach Jon Lederhouse said. "We have five freshman playing significant roles for us, so the team is very different from last year and we have no continuity yet. But the girls got it together in the second and third quarter. Notre Dame is quite good. They took second place at the national club championships last year."

The Thunder return to action on Feb. 27 at Carthage College.