SAN DIEGO/LA JOLLA, CALIF. — The No. 8-ranked Harvard University women’s water polo team split a pair of games on the West Coast as the Crimson took a 17-10 setback versus No. 2 the University of Southern California (USC) at No. 20 San Diego State University’s Aztec Invitational at the Aztec Aquaplex in San Diego. Later in the day, Harvard stuck a fork in host/No. 11 the University of California-San Diego with a 13-11 win at the Canyonview Aquatic Center in La Jolla.
Facing perennial national championship contender USC at the Aztec Invitational, the Crimson fell behind as the Trojans claimed a 7-3 lead by the conclusion of the first quarter.
Maya O’Dea led the Crimson in scoring, finding the back of the net three times against Southern California to finish with a hat-trick.
Niki Piovan and Emma Gilbert both netted pairs of goals, while Orli Cooper racked up a total of 11 saves.
Harvard then traveled out of “America’s Finest City” to La Jolla where the team turned back host UC-San Diego.
Ruby Hodge and Niki Piovan led the scoring as both athletes racked up three strikes.
Heidi Heffelfinger and O’Dea concluded the game with pairs of goals to support a 16-save effort from Cooper.
Hodge lead the team in assists, totaling four on the afternoon with Erin Kim close behind with a trio of helpers.
Information courtesy Harvard University Athletics Communications
