Harvard Women’s Water Polo Continues Historic Dominance with Weekend Sweep

No. 12 Harvard (10-1, 4-0 CWPA) women’s water polo team capped off a tremendous weekend at home to remain undefeated in the CWPA with decisive victories against Saint Francis (8-6. 1-4 CWPA), Bucknell (9-4, 2-3 CWPA) and No. 16 Michigan (3-5, 1-2 CWPA). The Crimson continues to thrive at Blodgett Pool, reinforcing its status as a formidable force as the season progresses.

Harvard 17, Saint Francis 9

Harvard entered the three-game homestand riding a five-game win streak and eager to defend its home turf once more. The first challenge was against a surging Saint Francis squad, which had won six out of the last 7 of its matchups in a blazing start to the new year.

Early in the contest, both teams traded goals, but Harvard gradually pulled ahead as junior utility Heidi Heffelfinger took command in the pool, orchestrating an offensive attack and scoring with precision. Heffefinger assisted the Crimson’s opening goal, setting up sophomore center defender Emma Gilbert before launching a series of ambidextrous shots into the top right corner of the goal for Harvard.

As the 4th quarter rolled around, Harvard had doubled SFU’s score, 14-7. In the end, the Crimson’s offensive depth was on full display with 11 different players finding the back of the net in a dominating 17-9 victory. Defensively, first year goalie Orli Cooper and junior goalie Sutchie Ofori-Nyako totaled twelve saves to hold off Saint Francis’ attack.

Harvard 18, Bucknell 4

Just hours later, matched up against Bucknell, the Crimson picked up right where it left off. The Bison were no match, as Harvard immediately established control and raced to a 5-0 lead in the first quarter. The team expanded its advantage to 12-1 by halftime with a seven goal outbreak in the second quarter.

Once again, Heffelfinger led the charge, netting four goals and an assist, while sophomore attacker Maya O’Dea played a phenomenal game of her own to compliment her teammate, earning a hat trick and an assist. Harvard’s defense remained impenetrable despite the raging Bison, with both goalies combining for a double-digit save effort again, notching twelve. Harvard cruised to an 18-4 victory, using its two back-to-back wins as the perfect warmup for Sunday morning's highly anticipated showdown.

Harvard 14, Michigan 3

On Sunday morning, Harvard was awake earlier than most in a heightened battle at 9 a.m. against a familiar foe, Michigan. Last year, the Crimson lost three times to the Wolverines, but momentum was on its side and Harvard had its sights on avenging its defeats at home.

The intensity was evident from the beginning whistle. Harvard scored first with a goal by sophomore attacker Lucy Berkman, but the Wolverines quickly responded with a goal of their own to tie the game at 1-1.

In the second quarter, the Crimson extended its lead with Gilbert and Heffelfinger scoring two goals apiece, putting Harvard in the lead at halftime, 5-2. The Crimson would only graciously allow Michigan to score one more goal the rest of the contest. On the other hand, Harvard manifested a six-goal outburst in the second quarter from Heffelfinger, senior utility Dany Zapata, and junior attacker Ruby Hodges. Ultimately, Hodge pierced the Wolverines’ hearts before halftime, as she sniped a shot over the top of the Michigan goalkeeper’s left shoulder and into the right corner of the net. That goal sealed the Wolverines’ fate, as Michigan was held scoreless in the second half while Harvard finished the game with three more goals to cap a commanding 14-3 victory.

Harvard dominating weekend marks its best start since 2019, outsourcing its conference opponents 56-23 in four games this season. In 2019, Harvard beat one ranked opponent. After beating the Wolverines, it was Harvard’s seventh win against a ranked opponent this season with plenty of games still ahead.

Gilbert earned another hat trick in the Michigan matchup, while Cooper was stunning in the goal tallying 12 saves between the pipes. Harvard’s triumph marks its second win over its CWPA rival in history — further proving the development of a historic team and developing something special.

Next weekend, the Crimson hosts the Harvard invitational in the final slate of a 15 game homestand, streaming on ESPN+.

– Staff Writer Chandler Piggé can be reached at chandler.pigge@thecrimson.com