LEWISBURG, Pa. — The Saint Francis women’s water polo team opened the season at 2-0 as the Red Flash turned up the head on St. Francis College Brooklyn, 12-8, and the Virginia Military Institute, 10-3, at Kinney Natatorium during the 2022 Bucknell University Invitational.
Eight different Red Flash players found the back of the net in the pair of victories. Junior Taylor Halbauer led the team with 10, while sophomore Emese Szucs chipped in five markers.
Facing the Terriers of St. Francis Brooklyn, five Red Flash players found the back of the net, led by five from Halbauer. Szucs notched a trio with Haiden Lang, Abbie Carter and Kim Frostad each finding the back twine once.
Saint Francis shot .500 in the game (12-of-24) and received assists by Addison Williams,Carter, Halbauer and Szucs.
Halbauer drew a game-high seven exclusions, Frostad chipped in three and the quartet of Maysen Seile, Williams, Szucs and Lang each drew solo kickouts.
Freshman Isabel Lumley allowed four goals on seven saves between the pipes for the Red Flash.
Facing the Keydets of VMI in the final game of the day for Saint Francis, Halbauer led the way with five goals, while Szucs added two. Tori Navarro, Carissa Semple and Seile all added single tallies.
Defense allowed the Red Flash to claim the win as the team posted seven field blocks – including three by Seile.
Freshman goalie Grace Raquel tallied five saves while also collecting three steals in earning the win for the Red Flash.
The pair of wins marks the first time since 2017 that Saint Francis has opened a season with a 2-0 record. In 2017, the team defeated Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges (10-7 W) and Mercyhurst University (12-7 W) before taking an 11-8 loss to St. Francis Brooklyn.
Release courtesy Saint Francis University Athletics Communications
