NEW LONDON, Conn. — The Carthage College women’s water polo team returned to the pool following a 19-day hiatus from competition to defeat three-time league champion Grove City College, 11-3, and four-time/reigning CWPA titlist Connecticut College, 12-6, during a Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III league weekend at the Camels’ Jane Cadwell Lott Natatorium.
Facing 2010, 2011 and 2012 CWPA Division III Champion Grove City, Maggie Hennigan was a presence on both ends of the pool with two goals and three assists for six points along with three steals for the Lady Reds. Goalkeeper Emma Jeronimus was also a double threat in the pool with 10 saves and four assists in the contest.
Carly Strass, Allie Boothe, Maddie Gronset, Eckles and Hennigan each added a pair of goals to the Carthage offense. Madi Anderson contributed a goal as well for Carthage in the contest.
Carthage wasted little time in taking a commanding lead as the squad outscored the Wolverines 4-0 in the first quarter and 3-0 in the second frame to gain a 7-0 lead by halftime. The lead ballooned to 9-0 in the opening moments of the third quarter prior to Grove City pulling to within 10-2 with eight minutes left to play in the game. Both teams found the back of the cage once over the span of the final frame for the 11-3 final score.
The Wolverines received individual goals from Abby Jank, Ashley Parks and Heidi Schmidt in taking the loss.
Facing the 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 league champion Camels of homestanding Connecticut College, Eckles led the Lady Reds through “The Desert” by notching three goals, including a pair of penalty shots, to help Carthage double-up the home team by a 12-6 count.
Leading 2-0 in the early going and tied 2-2 at the conclusion of the first quarter, Carthage pulled away from their hosts by outscoring Connecticut 4-2, 3-1 and 3-1 over the span of the final three quarters, respectively, to collect the win and keep the Camels from ever holding lead in the game.
Strass scored four times for Carthage, while Hennigan and Gronset each contributed a pair of goals to accompany a solo strike from Laura Larsen. Strass chipped in three steals on the defensive end of the pool. Mack Ryan added two steals and three assists in the contest. Jeronimus tallied nine saves in the contest.
Connecticut received a pair of goals from Shannon Cry and single tallies from the hand of Ginny McCool, Kaitlin Reagan, Sophia Soriano and Brianna Harrity to account for the Camels’ offensive output.
Information courtesy Carthage College Athletics Communications
