No. 15 Harvard women’s water polo (24-6, 10-2 CWPA) has secured a place in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship match after a successful playoff weekend in Providence, RI.

Impressive Path to the Championship

The Crimson’s playoff success began with a commanding victory over Mercyhurst (5-22, 0-7 CWPA), followed by a thrilling semi-final against No. 16 Michigan (18-11, 9-3 CWPA). Harvard’s playoff run showcases the team’s resilience and skill, particularly after winning in overtime against Michigan.

Harvard finished the regular season with a share of its first-ever conference title, entering the tournament as the second seed. This achievement sets the stage for their championship aspirations against regular season co-champion No. 10 Princeton (21-6, 10-2 CWPA).

Highlights from the Semi-Final: Harvard vs. Michigan

The match against Michigan epitomized tension and excitement. Harvard opened the scoring with a goal from O’Dea just a minute into the game. The teams exchanged leads, culminating in an 8-8 tie that pushed the game into overtime.

Key moments included:

• O’Dea’s early goal, assisted by Hodge.
• Pivotal defensive plays by goalkeeper Orli Cooper, especially a crucial save just before the first quarter ended.
• A dramatic equalizer from freshman Niki Piovan, which kept Harvard’s championship hopes alive in overtime.

Ultimately, senior Dany Zapata’s goal in the first overtime period helped Harvard secure the 9-8 victory.

Dominating Performance Against Mercyhurst

In their earlier matchup with Mercyhurst, the Crimson showcased their dominance with an impressive 20-5 victory.

Highlights included:

• Harvard began strong, ending the first quarter with a 6-0 lead.
• Niki Piovan made notable contributions, scoring her first goal early in the match.
• The Crimson maintained a relentless offensive strategy, leading to a commanding 10-3 halftime score.
• Harvard’s defense shined in the second half, effectively shutting down Mercyhurst’s attempts to score, resulting in the decisive win.

Acknowledging Team Achievements

This season has been marked by individual and collective accolades for Harvard water polo:

• Niki Piovan received the CWPA Rookie of the Year award and was named to the First Team.
• Emma Gilbert also earned First Team honors.
• Orli Cooper, Ruby Hodge, and Maya O’Dea secured spots on the CWPA Second Team.
• Head Coach Ted Minnis was recognized as CWPA Coach of the Year.