Crimson Women’s Water Polo Concludes Season with Dominating Win
In an impressive performance, the Harvard women’s water polo team secured an 18-4 victory over Iona in their regular-season finale held on Saturday in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This win marks the Crimson’s 23rd victory of the season, tying a modern program record and setting the stage for their upcoming CWPA playoffs.
Game Highlights
The match began with Harvard establishing a solid 2-0 lead in the opening quarter, thanks to early goals from Heidi Heffelfinger and Ruby Hodge. The Crimson continued to build momentum, scoring nine goals across the first two quarters, including a seven-goal surge to close out the first half. This offensive display highlighted their strategic prowess and teamwork.
Performance Breakdown
- Heidi Heffelfinger: Led the scoring with five goals.
- Ruby Hodge: Contributed significantly with a hat-trick and an assist, totaling four points.
- Maya O’Dea: Matched Hodge’s performance with three goals and one assist.
- Emma Gilbert: Added two goals to the Crimson’s tally.
- Ella Schneider: Provided three assists, showcasing her playmaking abilities.
In goal, both Sutchie Ofori-Nyako and Orli Cooper split time effectively. Ofori-Nyako recorded five saves during the fourth quarter, while Cooper made five saves and contributed three assists in the initial period.
Looking Ahead
The Harvard Crimson will now turn their attention to the CWPA playoffs, where they are set to face Mercyhurst in the first round on Friday at 4:30 p.m. in Providence. The team’s current form and strong season performance place them in a favorable position as they aim for success in the postseason.
