PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The queens of the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) now reside in Cambridge, Mass., as No. 15-ranked Harvard University outlasted and overcame No. 10/two-time defending league champion (2023, 2024) Princeton University in overtime, 10-8, to capture the institution’s inaugural Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) women’s water polo championship.
Competing at Brown University’s Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center, the Crimson (26-7, 10-2 CWPA) become the first school not named either Princeton (2015, 2023, 2024) or the University of Michigan (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022) to claim the league championship since Indiana University achieved the feat by downing Princeton (22-7 10-2 CWPA) in 2014 at Bucknell University.
Some other historical notes:
- Harvard becomes the ninth institution to capture a women’s Eastern/Collegiate Water Polo Association title since 1988 as the Crimson join Slippery Rock University (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996), the University of Maryland (1997), the University of Massachusetts (1998, 1999), Princeton (2000, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2023, 2024), Brown (2001), Michigan (2002, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022), Indiana (2003, 2011, 2014) and Hartwick College (2004, 2006, 2007).
- In the history of the league, Harvard’s victory prevents Princeton from joining Slippery Rock and Michigan as the only teams in league history to thee-peat.
- Harvard joins Princeton (2000, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2023, 2024), Brown (2001), Michigan (2002, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022), Indiana (2003, 2011, 2014) and Hartwick College (2004, 2006, 2007) as the only institutions to claim the CWPA Championship in the 21st century. Among the group, Indiana is now a member of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), while Hartwick eliminated the institution’s varsity program leaving the Tigers, Bears, Wolverines and now Crimson as the lone active CWPA institutions to hold a Division I championship in the sport of women’s water polo.
- For the Crimson, the championship avenges prior title game losses to Slippery Rock in 1990, 1993 and 1995 prior to setbacks against Michigan (2022) and Princeton (2023) in the modern era of competition (2001-to-present) as a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recognized sport.
Via the victory, Harvard earns the CWPA’s automatic berth to the 2025 NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championship on Friday-Sunday, May 9-11, at IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The selection show announcing the Crimson’s seed and path through the championship field will be streamed live on Monday, April 28 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on NCAA.com.
The championship berth marks the first NCAA Championship appearance for the Crimson and the fourth bid for Harvard to a women’s water polo National Championship field.
Harvard last qualified for the National Championship Tournament, the precursor of today’s NCAA Championship, in 2000 by placing third at the CWPA Championship with a 20-12 record. The team ultimately finished 15th at the National Championship Tournament. It marked Harvard’s third appearance at the event as the team previously finished eighth in both 1995 and 1998.
Harvard – which has now placed first (2025), second (1988, 1990, 1995 2022, 2023), third (1989, 1992, 1998, 2000), fourth (1999, 2017, 2019, 2024), fifth (1993, 1996, 2003, 2004, 2005), sixth (2003, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016), seventh (2001, 2002, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2018) and eighth (1997, 2006, 2007, 2010) at the women’s CWPA/Eastern Championship – never trailed against Princeton as the Crimson struck first and counterpunched the rest of the way to earn the right to shipping themselves off from Boston to Indianapolis for a shot at the NCAA Championship.
Following a scoreless first quarter in which Princeton goalie Lindsey Lucas (Jr., Orinda, Calif./Miramonte) turned aside three shots and Harvard netminder/Player of the Game Orli Cooper (Fr., Greensboro, N.C./Guilford Home Educators) blocked down a pair of Tigers’ scoring tries, Ruby Hodge (Jr., San Juan Capistrano, Calif./Santa Margarita) put the Crimson on the board 29 seconds into the second quarter at the 7:31 mark.
The lead lasted for under two minutes until Grace Houlahan (Sr., Laguna Beach, Calif./Laguna Beach) hooked home an equalizer at 6:06 to pull Princeton even at one-all.
The remainder of the first half followed the same script as 2025 CWPA Rookie of the Year Niki Piovan (Fr., Vouliagmeni, Greece/HAEF Athens College) (4:32, man-up) and Dany Zapata (Sr., Cali, Colombia/Meriden School) (3:21) sloughed their defenders to give Harvard 2-1 and 3-2 leads, respectively, prior to Kate Mallery (Sr., Stanford, Calif./Henry M. Gunn) (4:05, man-up) and Shanna Davidson (Jr., Huntington Beach, Calif./Los Alamitos) (1:14) notching equalizers as the teams entered halftime deadlocked at three-all.
Piovan (6:26), Olivia Krotts (So., Laguna Beach, Calif./Laguna Beach) (6:03), Maya O’Dea (So., Long Beach, Calif./Woodrow Wilson) (5:34) and Kayla Yelensky (Sr., Stamford, Conn./Greenwich Academy) (5:07) continued the exchange of scores as Harvard went ahead 4-3 and 5-4 before Princeton leveled the playing field at four-all and five-all.
The third quarter concluded with the team’s trading another round of offensive fireworks as Hodge heaved in a go-ahead score at 2:47 prior to Mallery lining in a response with 29 seconds on the clock to once more deadlock the teams at six-all.
Harvard appeared primed to put the game away in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter as back-to-back goals from Zapata (7:25) and O’Dea (5:23) shook the Tigers and buried Princeton under the weight of an 8-6 deficit with over five minutes left in regulation.
However, the duo of Ava Houlahan (Jr., Laguna Beach, Calif./Laguna Beach) (2:48, man-up) and Krotts (2:01) stepped into the offensive breach for Princeton to net a pair of markers, tie the score at eight-all and force overtime.
Neither team was able to solve their foe’s overtime defense until O’Dea delivered what proved to be the winning score by denting the twine with 2:20 left in the second overtime. Heidi Heffelfinger (Jr., Lafayette, Calif./Acalanes) beat the buzzer by scoring with one second left to inflate the final spread to a pair at 10-8 as Harvard wins not only the league championship from Princeton but also the season series as the Crimson notched a 7-6 win on February 8 at home in Cambridge, Mass., prior to suffering a 12-8 setback on March 29 in Princeton, N.J.
For the Tigers, Mallery and Krotts keyed the Princeton offense with pairs of goals to accompany solo strikes by Ava Houlahan, Grace Houlahan, Yelensky and Davidson. Lucas finished with seven saves as she suffers her first setback at the CWPA Championship following back-to-back championship runs in 2023 and 2024.
O’Dea had a day to remember for Harvard by posting a hat-trick with a trio of tallies. Hodge, Piovan and Zapata each slipped in a pair of scores with Heffelfinger contributing a solo goal. Cooper earned the win as the freshman accounted for 11 saves to make history.
Following the title game, the individual awards and the All-Tournament Team were announced with Cooper, Piovan and Minnis claiming Most Valuable Player, Rookie and Doc Hunkler Coach of the Tournament recognition, respectively.
For Minnis, the award marks the first CWPA Championship Coach of the Year honor bestowed on a Harvard women’s head coach as the Crimson’s leader joins Felix Mercado (Brown – 2024), Derek Ellingson (Princeton – 2019), Dr. Marcelo Leonardi (University of Michigan – 2022, 2021, 2017, 2016), Becca Dorst (Princeton – 2018), Alan Huckins (Hartwick College – 2015, 2006, 2004), Barry King (Indiana University – 2014, 2010), Matt Anderson (Michigan – 2013, 2009, 2008, 2005), Carl Salyer (University of Maryland – 2012, 2011), Luis Nicolao (Princeton – 2007) and Todd Clapper (Brown – 2003) in earning the award since its creation prior to the 2003 season.
For the entirety of his coaching tenure at Harvard, the award marks the fourth tournament honor granted to Minnis as he garnered the 2019, 2017 and 2016 Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) Championship honors for leading the Crimson men to a trio of titles.
Piovan also adds her name to the record book as the first-year joins Devan Kennifer (2009) and teammate Emma Gilbert (So., Santa Barbara, Calif./Dos Pueblos) (2024) as the only Harvard women to claim Rookie of the Tournament since its adoption in 2008.
Cooper’s place in the league’s history is more unique as she becomes the first freshman to win MVP since Hartwick’s Kirsten Hudson in 2007. Further, she joins Olympic Gold Medalist/CWPA Hall of Fame member Ashleigh Johnson (Princeton – 2005), Cassie Wyckoff (Indiana – 2011), Olympic Gold Medalist/CWPA Hall of Fame member Betsey Armstrong (Michigan – 2005, 2002) and Keira Heggie (Brown – 2001) as the only goalkeepers to pick-up recognition as the CWPA Championship tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. The third rookie to take home the MVP prize – joining Armstrong (2002) and Hudson (2007) – she joins Armstrong in rating as the lone first-year goalkeepers to garner the award.
| 2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association Division I Championship | |
| All-Tournament Team | |
| Most Valuable Player: | Orli Cooper (Harvard University) |
| Rookie of the Tournament: | Niki Piovan (Harvard University) |
| Doc Hunkler Coach of the Tournament: | Ted Minnis (Harvard University) |
| First Team | |
| Orli Cooper (Goalie) | Harvard University |
| Maya O’Dea | Harvard University |
| Dany Zapata | Harvard University |
| Kayla Yelensky | Princeton University |
| Rachael Carver | Princeton University |
| Kasey Umlauf | University of Michigan |
| Olivia Hopper | Bucknell University |
| Second Team | |
| Lindsey Lucas (Goalie) | Princeton University |
| Ava Houlahan | Princeton University |
| Ruby Hodge | Harvard University |
| Emma Gilbert | Harvard University |
| Issy Jackson | University of Michigan |
| Claire Poissonnier | Brown University |
| Bella Schraa | Bucknell University |
| Honorable Mention |
|
| Tamara Torkos (Goalie) | Bucknell University |
| Sophia Bunnell (Goalie) | University of Michigan |
| Brooke Ingram | University of Michigan |
| Sofia Holman | Brown University |
| Niki Piovan | Harvard University |
| Grace Brzyski | Mercyhurst University |
| Shanna Davidson | Princeton University |
| Caylah Olay | Saint Francis University |
| 1st Q | 2nd Q | 3rd Q | 4th Q | OT1 | OT2 | – | FINAL | |
| No. 15 Harvard University (26-7, 10-2 CWPA) | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | – | 10 |
| No. 10 Princeton University (22-7 10-2 CWPA) | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 |
| Princeton Goals: | Kate Mallery (2); Olivia Krotts (2); Grace Houlahan; Ava Houlahan; Kayla Yelensky; Shanna Davidson | |||||||
| Harvard Goals: | Maya O’Dea (3); Ruby Hodge (2); Niki Piovan (2); Dany Zapata (2); Heidi Heffelfinger | |||||||
| Saves: | Princeton – Lindsey Lucas (7) ; Harvard – Orli Cooper (11) | |||||||
| Exclusions: | Princeton – 6 ; Harvard – 15 | |||||||
| Advantage Opportunities: | Princeton – 3-for-15 ; Harvard – 1-for-6 | |||||||
| Sprints: | Princeton – 2-for-5 (3rd, 4th) ; Harvard – 3-for-5 (1st. 2nd, 6th) | |||||||
| Cards/Misconducts: | None | |||||||
| Officials: | Joe Peila, Easton Honaker | |||||||
Princeton University & Harvard University honor America prior to the start of game play during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner
Princeto University’s Kayla Yelensky (#20) looks for an opening as Harvard University’s Ruby Hodge (#8) defends
Harvard University fans celebrate a goal by the Crimson
Princeton University’s Ava Houlahan (#14) rises to block a shot by Harvard University’s Emma Gilbert (#13)
Harvard University head coach Ted Minnis offers instructions to the Crimson during the 2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship title game
Princeton University’s Lindsey Lucas (#1)
Harvard University fans cheer the Crimson onto victory
Harvard University’s Niki Piovan (#20) rises to shoot
Harvard University’s Erin Kim (#6) stalks Princeton University’s Ava Houlahan (#14)
Head coach Ted Minnis & his Harvard University coaching staff prepare to dive in following the Crimson’s title game victory
Harvard University celebrates its 2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship
Harvard University celebrates its 2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship
Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Commissioner Dan Sharadin presents the Second Place plaque to Princeton University
Princeton University accepts the 2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship Second Place plaque
Princeton University head coach Derek Ellingson with the 2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship runner-up plaque
Harvard University accepts the 2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship plaque from Commissioner Dan Sharadin
Harvard University goalkeeper Orli Cooper accepts the 2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship Most Valuable Player plaque from Commissioner Dan Sharadin
2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship Most Valuable Player Orli Cooper (#1A) of Harvard University
2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship Rookie of the Tournament Niki Piovan (#20) of Harvard University accepts the award from Commissioner Dan Sharadin
Harvard University’s Ted Minnis accepts the 2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship Doc Hunkler Coach of the Tournament award from Commissioner Dan Sharadin
2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship Most Valuable Player Orli Cooper, Doc Hunkler Coach of the Tournament Ted Minnis & Rookie of the Tournament Niki Piovan of Harvard University
Harvard University’s Erin Kim (#6) puts the Crimson’s name in the final spot on the 2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship advancement board following the team’s title game victory
The final 2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship advancement board following Harvard University’s title game victory
2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association Champion – Harvard University
Harvard University cheers the team’s 2025 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Championship title
