BRIEF: Women's Water Polo Sweeps Weekend Slate

The Harvard women’s water polo squad travelled to Lewisburg, Pa. for a three-game set that included two tilts against conference opponents in its own division. Competing at Bucknell, the Crimson (8-4, 4-1 CWPA) walked away with three consecutive wins, building some momentum heading into this Saturday’s Harvard Invite.

HARVARD 11, HARTWICK 6

Though it was their second time in the pool on the day, the Crimson women had little trouble dispatching the Hawks (8-12, 3-2) after building an early lead. Just as in the morning, Harvard jumped to a 3-1 lead after the first quarter, with junior attackers Rachel Lobato and Charlotte Hendrix and senior attacker Victoria Frager each finding the back of the net.

For the second time of the day, the Crimson was not seriously threatened, as Hartwick would not pull closer than two goals after the first period of play. With the victory, Harvard stretched its winning streak to four and also topped a Hawks squad that was ranked two spots higher than the Crimson at No. 4 in the latest CWPA conference poll.

HARVARD 12, BUCKNELL 5

Backed by 14 saves from senior goalie Ariel Dukes, the Crimson outscored the Bison (6-4, 1-4) in each of the four quarters en route to a 12-5 win on Sunday.

Up 3-1 after the first period of play, Hendrix scored three of the next four Harvard goals to extend the lead to 7-3 at the halfway mark. The Santa Barbara, Calif., native would finish with a game-high five goals, just two short of her career high.

Besides Hendrix, the Crimson women spread the wealth in the contest, with each of the first three goals coming from different members of the team and freshman attacker Michelle Martinelli making an impact with a pair of goals of her own.

HARVARD 12, MERCYHURST 2

Though they may have been the bottom-feeder of the CWPA conference poll for the third consecutive week, the Lakers (3-5, 1-3) kept the contest close for a time, as the Crimson could only muster two goals from junior attacker Yoshi Anderson and sophomore attacker Alexis Del Toro in the first quarter.

But the slim Harvard lead quickly widened to 5-0 in the second, with the Crimson defense containing Mercyhurst attackers thoroughly. Seven more goals from Harvard pushed the game score to its final, with Dukes and freshman goalie Cleo Harrington splitting time in the net in the strong collective performance. Sophomore attacker Melissa Balding had three goals and an assist to pace the Crimson offense.

—Staff writer Caleb Y. Lee can be reached at caleb.lee@thecrimson.com.