LEWISBURG, Pa. — Saint Francis University opened Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) competition with a 13-8 defeat of Mercyhurst University prior to turning back Mount St. Mary’s University, 18-12, on the first day of the 2025 Bucknell Invitational hosted at Kinney Natatorium by Bucknell University.
With a two-goal lead to open the third quarter against Mercyhurst, Saint Francis scored four straight goals to take an 11-5 lead. Georgia Ellison began the scoring with Caylah Olay and Lucia Redaelli adding on goals, forcing Mercyhurst to take a timeout. After the break, Redaelli tallied another goal with 4:39 left in the quarter.
Ohlson and Claire Gebhardt scored back-to-back goals in the fourth quarter to extend the lead over the Lakers to 13-7.
Saint Francis was up 12-10, but back-to-back goals from Breeze Ohlson extended the lead heading into the fourth quarter. Ellison tallied the first goal of the fourth before the Red Flash scored back-and-forth goals with the Mount but remained on top.
Saint Francis tallied three consecutive goals. Sofia Maioriello recorded the first goal with Sam Eschleman and Kayla Rhoads scoring to give a 4-2 lead.
Caylah Olay earned back-to-back goals to open the second quarter for a 9-3 lead over the Mountaineers.
Megan Marlin, Ohlson and Redaelli led scoring in the first game of the day with two goals each. Olay tallied five goals over Mount St. Mary’s with Eschleman and Maioriello each tabbing four of their own.
Maioriello led the day in assists with five against Mercyhurst.
Olay and Rhoads each tallied three steals in the win over the Lakers with Rhoads picking up four more in the evening’s win.
Isabel Lumley earned a combined 23 saves on the day, including 14 against Mercyhurst. Grace Raquel recorded one save against Mount St. Mary’s.
Release courtesy Saint Francis University Athletics Communications
