CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – No. 13-ranked Harvard University women’s water polo swept its opening weekend at home in Blodgett Pool during the 2026 Bruno Classic. The Crimson defeated Iona University, 23-3, on Friday, January 23, prior to topping No. 20 Wagner College, 12-5, and Long Island University, 23-3, on Saturday, January 24, to start the season 3-0.
Harvard’s game versus Division III No. 4 Chapman University on Sunday, January 25, is canceled due to a snowstorm impacting the East Coast.
Facing Iona, Maya O’Dea led the way with two goals and four assists, while Lucy Levenberg-Penklis netted two goals and an assist in her collegiate debut versus the Gaels.
Niki Piovan added two goals and a helper with Petra Klemm tacking on a pair of goals in her first game at Blodgett.
Orli Cooper made 14 saves in the win.
Taking on Wagner in a battle of nationally-ranked teams, Piovan added her first hat-trick of the season.
Klemm notched two goals to accompany solo strikes by Lucy Berkman, Heidi Heffelfinger, Ella Schneider, Maya O’Dea, Emma Gilbert and Levenberg-Penklis all scored once in dispatching the Seahawks.
In the weekend finale, the Crimson netted six goals in each of the first two quarters to take a commanding lead over the Sharks of Long Island.
Lucy Berkman posted a hat-trick with rookies Sofia Wang, Levenberg-Penklis, and Klemm all founding the back of the net twice.
Piovan added five goals, while O’Dea and Klemm both had hat-tricks.
Ella Schneider and O’Dea combined for eight helpers
Sutchie Ofori-Nyako and Orli Cooper split time with each keeper making five saves.
Information courtesy Harvard University Athletics Communications
