ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Red Flash of Saint Francis University come up short against Bucknell University, 7-6, in Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division I competition and took a 22-6 setback versus No. 8-ranked Long Beach State University on the first day of the Michigan Invitational hosted by the University of Michigan at Canham Natatorium.
Facing Bucknell in a league contest, the Bison led 6-3 heading into the fourth quarter. Bucknell scored again early in the quarter, but the Red Flash mounted a comeback to make it a one-goal game. Aubrey Miller (Mohnton, Pa.) began the scoring with 6:35 remaining. Just over three minutes later, Emese Szucs (Budapest, Hungary) found the back of the net. Kayla Rhoads (Oceanside, Calif.) tallied the final goal of the game as Bucknell managed to hang on to split the league season-series versus the Red Flash. Saint Francis previously earned an 8-7 victory in Lewisburg, Pa., on February 10 during the Bucknell Invitational.
The Red Flash’s other three goals were scored in the first quarter against Bucknell as Caylah Olay (Redondo Beach, Calif.) began the game’s scoring to stake SFU to a 1-0 lead. Bucknell responded, but Szucs scored her first goal of the game to give Saint Francis a 2-1 lead. With 2:37 remaining in the opening frame, Sam Eschleman (Reading, Pa.) found the back of the net, extending the early Saint Francis lead to 3-1.
Szucs led scoring against the Bison with two goals. Eschleman tallied an assist, while Olay and Isabel Lumley (Brisbane, Australia) each recorded two steals. Lumley notched 12 steals in net.
Facing Long Beach State, the Red Flash trailed 17-6 entering the fourth quarter and was unable to put together a comeback. The Beach did not hold back offensively in the fourth quarter, scoring five more goals and preventing Saint Francis from finding the back of the net.
Saint Francis scored two goals in each of the first three quarters against Long Beach State. Olay again tallied the first goal of the game. Megan Marlin (Flower Mound, Texas) found the back of the net with 1:37 remaining in the first for a 3-2 score. The scoring for Saint Francis in the second quarter was all Olay, notching her second and third goals of the game, picking up a hat-trick on a power play. Down 15-4 in the third quarter, Lucy Willis (Ft. Thomas, Ky.) cut the Beach’s lead before Olay scored Saint Francis’ final goal.
Olay led the team in goals with four. Rhoads and Szucs each picked up two assists. Lumley and Grace Raquel (Naperville, Ill.) each tallied five saves against the Beach.
Information courtesy Saint Francis University Athletics Communications
