LORETTO, Pa. — The Saint Francis University water polo team put up a valiant fight in its first home match in program history by falling to George Washington University, 10-7, at Stokes Natatorium. It marked the first home game in the history of the Red Flash water polo program.
“While the end result wasn’t what we hoped for, I am really proud of how our kids battled tonight,” said head coach Pat Beemer. “With each quarter, we continue to get better as a squad. It’s not about where you are as a team in February, but where you are in April.”
The Red Flash trailed 9-4 early in the fourth quarter before rattling off three consecutive goals in front of a boisterous crowd. Melanie Aghazarian (Glendale, Calif./Glendale (La Valley College)) scored a goal with 2:54 to play in regulation to cut Saint Francis’s deficit to 9-7 before a George Washington marker with 1:43 on the clock iced the game away.
For the Red Flash, Kelly Fehr (Erie, Pa/Villa Maria Academy) led the Red Flash with three goals. Emily Wickenheiser (Mechanicsburg, Pa/Cumberland Valley) built off of her opening week with two goals and two assist performance, while Kate Wilke (Burbank, Calif./Burroughs) made 10 saves in cage.
Lani Merrill (San Clemente, Calif. /San Clemente (Saddleback College)) spearheaded the defensive effort with three steals as the Red Flash fell behind 3-0 early and played the Colonials even over the final 22 minutes of the game.
Overall. GW held a 28-21 advantage in shot attempts and placed 20 shots on goal compared to 16 for the Red Flash.
Release courtesy Saint Francis University Athletics Communications
