In an exhilarating showdown on Sunday afternoon, the Harvard women’s water polo team achieved a remarkable milestone by defeating the top-seeded Princeton team in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship match. With this victory, Harvard clinched its first-ever conference title, closing the season with an impressive record of 26 wins and only 6 losses, and a conference performance of 10 wins to 2 losses.
The match was a nail-biter that extended into overtime, highlighting the competitive spirit of both teams. The win also set a new record for Harvard, marking the highest number of single-season wins in the program’s history at 26.
By winning the CWPA Championship, the Crimson secured an automatic qualifier for the NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championships, an opportunity that places them among the elite in collegiate water polo.
Outstanding performances from freshman goalkeeper Orli Cooper, named the CWPA MVP, and defender Niki Piovan, the Rookie of the Tournament, were pivotal in helping Harvard control the match’s tempo and stymie numerous scoring attempts from Princeton.
“We knew we didn’t come all this way just to beat Michigan,” said junior attacker Ruby Hodge. “We came to win a championship. We knew this was the team to make history.”
Match Overview: Harvard 10, Princeton 8
The championship match began with both teams showcasing their defensive prowess, leading to a scoreless first quarter. Harvard’s aggressive defensive strategy resulted in early exclusions for two players but was complemented by several saves from Cooper. The first quarter ended with neither team finding the back of the net.
The second quarter opened with Hodge scoring the first goal within 30 seconds, giving Harvard an early lead. Princeton responded quickly, tying the game shortly after. Following a missed power play, Harvard capitalized on another opportunity, with Piovan scoring after receiving a pass.
Princeton answered back with a power play goal, but Harvard continued to lead, scoring first in several exchanges and reigning in Princeton’s top scorer, the CWPA regular season MVP. Hodge emphasized, “Defense is the most important part of the game for us. Everything starts on defense because the goals will come naturally.”
The back-and-forth nature of the match persisted into the second half. Both teams traded goals with Piovan succeeding again for Harvard, only to be matched by Princeton. The next goal from sophomore attacker Maya O’Dea brought relief as Harvard pulled ahead in a high-stakes environment.
Harvard’s defense came under pressure as Princeton attempted to even the score once again, culminating in a tense final minute of regulation time. A timeout from Princeton set up a crucial final attack, but Harvard refused to let the Tigers score, leading to an 8-8 tie and the necessity for overtime.
The first possession of overtime saw a chaotic sprint for control of the ball, with O’Dea ultimately scoring a powerful shot to give Harvard a 9-8 lead. Although Princeton intensified its offensive efforts, the shots were insufficient against Cooper’s vigilant goalkeeping.
As overtime progressed, Harvard’s tactical discipline became apparent. With time running down and the Crimson holding a narrow lead, Coach Ted Minnis called a timeout to strategize. Princeton was granted a power play opportunity in the dying seconds of the match, but a desperate shot was thwarted by a diving block from senior attacker Erin Kim.
With six seconds left, Harvard’s final moments were filled with strategy as they protected their advantage. As the buzzer sounded, two Harvard attackers broke towards the net, sealing the victory with an electrifying buzzer-beater. The jubilant team dove into the pool in celebration, marking a historic moment for the program.
“This team is love,” Hodge expressed afterwards. “We did it all together and I am so proud of this team.”
With the CWPA title secured, Harvard will prepare for its debut at the NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championships, scheduled for May 9-11 in Indianapolis, IN.
