POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Alana Ponce netted 11 goals across two games to helping George Washington University secure a doubleheader split to close the Marist College Red Fox Invitational.
Ponce scored a season-high seven goals in a 12-10 win over St. Francis College Brooklyn to open the day at the James J. McCann Center before adding four more in a 12-7 setback versus Brown University.
The Buff and Blue wrapped the weekend at Marist 2-2 with their overall record even at 3-3.
Ponce did it all in the opener against St. Francis Brooklyn, posting seven goals, three steals, two ejections drawn and an assist to spark the Colonials past the Terriers for the second time this season.
After St. Francis Brooklyn rallied back to tie it at 8 in the third quarter, GW found the closing kick with a 4-2 advantage in the final period.
Kira Bruno and Jaleh Moaddeli scored two goals apiece in the victory, while Julia Belanger continued a strong weekend with a goal and a team-high three ejections drawn.
Samantha Runyon stopped nine shots to ensure the Buff and Blue triumphed in a back-and-forth contest.
In GW’s final game of the weekend, The Colonials gave Brown a battle before running out of steam down the stretch.
Ponce’s goal with 6:15 left in the third quarter tied it at 5, but the Bears took charge from there with five straight scores over a seven-minute span.
Ponce scored once in each quarter to again pace the Buff and Blue. Belanger scored twice, and Abbie Lukas tallied her first career goal in the game’s final minute.
Runyon set a season high with 10 saves against the Bears, who the Colonials will face in Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) action on April 13.
Release courtesy George Washington University Athletics Communications
