WASHINGTON, Pa. — The Washington & Jefferson College women’s water polo team split a pair of games on day two of the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III Crossover weekend hosted by the Presidents at Henry Memorial Natatorium. The team opened the day with a tight 11-10 defeat by Division III No. 6-ranked Macalester College before closing out the evening with a 14-13 victory over Austin College.
Sophomore Emmie Ratcliff (Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood) led the Presidents offensively, scoring six goals against Macalester. Freshman Mackenzie Caron (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin) netted two in the contest. Additionally, freshman Riley Gutierrez (Deer Park, Texas/Deer Park) and sophomore Autumn Woollcott (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) each had a goal to round out the W&J scoring.
The two teams showed to be close in the standings right from the opening swim off. Macalester took a narrow two-goal lead after the opening 16 minutes with a 7-5 advantage. The Presidents would not go down without a fight as they won the third quarter, 2-1, to cut the Scots lead in half. W&J continued to try and come back but Macalester found one extra goal late in the fourth quarter to win the match 11-10.
Freshman Lani Weaver (Conroe, Texas/Conroe) made five saves for the Presidents.
Later in the day, Caron and E. Ratcliff each had five goals in win against the ‘Roos. Caron finished the day with three steals and won all four swim-offs to begin each quarter. E. Ratcliff also had one assist during the win. Additionally, junior Hallie Ratcliff (Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood) finished the day with two goals, three assists and a blocked shot. Gutierrez and freshman Chloe Majorprice (Manchester, Mich./Skyline) each had a goal to round out the scoring. Gutierrez also tallied four assists.
W&J took a narrow one goal lead in the opening eight minutes with Caron scoring twice. Majorprice and E. Ratcliff each found themselves on the scoresheet early as the Presidents took a 4-3 lead.
Washington & Jefferson expanded on its lead by scoring five goals in the second quarter. E. Ratcliff sent two shots to the back of the net, while Gutierrez, Caron and H. Ratcliff each had one in the frame. Strong defense by W&J held Austin to only one goal and allowed the Red & Black to take a 9-4 lead into the second half of action.
The ‘Roos started to claw their way back in the second half, but W&J’s defense held strong to maintain the lead. The Presidents scored twice in the quarter and took a narrow 11-9 lead into the final eight minutes of regulation. E. Ratcliff and Caron both scored in the frame.
W&J netted their final three goals over the concluding quarter of of competition to round out their scoring at 14. The defense combated one last Austin attack to take a 14-13 victory. Caron and the Ratcliff sisters scored in the fourth quarter to help the Presidents escape.
Weaver made 10 saves on defense and dished out an assist for Washington & Jefferson.
Release courtesy Washington & Jefferson College Athletics Communications
