BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — No. 19-ranked Harvard University women’s water polo thumped No. 25 Iona College, 14-6, in its season-opener at the Indiana University Hoosier Invitational. The Crimson returned later in the day to thwart McKendree University, 19-6, in its second contest of the 2018 campaign.
Junior goalie Sam Acker posted a career-best 14 saves in the afternoon bout, increasing her daily total to 17 after eight minutes of play in the opener. Acker also tallied two assists in the afternoon contest. Senior co-captain Cleo Harrington earned the “W” versus Iona, making nine saves in 24 minutes of action.
Junior attacker Kristen Hong led the Crimson with nine goals on the day. Hong paced the offense in both contests, matching the team-highs set by sophomore Mathilde Ribordy (five) against Iona and freshman Olivia Price (four) versus McKendree.
Senior Sami Strutner led Harvard with four steals. The co-captain added two goals and an assist on the day.
Sophomore attacker Sofia Carrera-Justiz aided the Crimson with four assists in the pair of games as the sophomore also contributed three steals and a goal. Classmate Julie Harrison recorded three goals and an assist.
Three freshmen registered their first collegiate goals. Price added her first tally against Iona. Jilly Cronin found the back of the net twice against McKendree, while Quinne Pursell posted two goals and a pair of blocks Bearcats.
Facing Iona in the days’ opener, Harvard stormed out to a 6-1 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Price capitalized on a power play opportunity 44 seconds into the game to register Harvard’s first goal of the season. The Crimson put up three more unanswered goals before Iona got on the scoreboard, but it was too late for the Gaels.
A goal from Ribordy in the opening seconds of the second quarter proved to be the game-winner, as the Harvard defense blanked Iona in the second frame and continued to control play the remainder of the game.
The Crimson went three-for-six on power play opportunities and shot .560.
The Harvard defense stopped all six of the Gaels power play chances and held them to .222 shooting on the day.
Against McKendree in the day’s finale, junior Haley Bowe initiated a nine-goal onslaught forty-one seconds into the game. The Crimson held the Bearcats scoreless into the second frame and responded with five goals to close out the half after the shutout fled. Harvard shot 19-for-27 (.704) and scored on four-of-eight power play opportunities.
Release courtesy Harvard University Athletics Communications
