STANFORD, Calif. — The No. 18-ranked Harvard University women’s water polo dropped a 20-7 contest at No. 2 Stanford University to close out the Crimson’s time on the West Coast. Harvard recorded a 3-2 record throughout its time in California.
The Cardinal quickly got on the scoreboard when Hannah Shabb began a four-goal rally until the Crimson’s Mathilde Ribordy put a pause in the offensive attack with her solo tally. Harvard moved into the second period trailing 6-1. In attempts to create its own offensive moves, Harvard’s Grace Thawley and Olivia Pursell capitalized on their scoring drives to the net to end the half, 9-3.
Coming out of halftime, Stanford picked up where it left off with a goal from Cassidy Wiley before Sofia Carrera Justiz countered with a connection from Thawley to make it 10-4. The Crimson added three more goals throughout the final half from Lana Gorlinski and Thawley. Harvard ultimately could not scrounge up enough goals to cut the 13-goal deficit in taking the loss.
Ribordy and Gorlinski tabbed two goals each to lead the way for the Crimson which received a collective three assists from Ribordy, Thawley and Kristen Hong.
Release courtesy Harvard University Athletics Communications
