ONEONTA, NY- The #16 Hartwick women's water polo team will be looking to secure its fourth conference championship in program history as it enters as the #3 seed at the three-day CWPA Championship tournament which begins this Friday at Bucknell University's Kinney Natatorium. The winner earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Tournament.  

The Hawks will play on Friday at 3 p.m. in the quarterfinals against the host Bison. A Hartwick win would move 'Wick into the semifinal round on Saturday against the winner of Princeton and Harvard.

'Wick is 13-1 lifetime against the Bison. The two teams last played on February 15 at the Bucknell Tournament where the Hawks prevailed 13-6.

"It's a dangerous game that we have to be prepared for," said head coach Alan Huckins. "Anytime you play a team in their pool, especially in a championship environment, you have to be ready to battle no matter what the results might have been throughout the year. Bucknell has some very skilled players and a good goalie."

A rematch with the defending champion Tigers potentially looms ahead for Hartwick. The Hawks and Tigers battled in last year's semifinals where Princeton came out with a 12-11 overtime victory after rallying from a 10-6 fourth quarter deficit. The two teams last played each other at the Harvard Invite on March 8 where the Tigers won 8-7.

"We know that if we are going to win this championship, we are most likely going to have to beat the top two teams in the league," Huckins noted.  "Princeton is the two-time defending champion and has an all-around great team. We will definitely have to be on top of our game to have a chance to win."  

Hartwick is led by senior Jemma Dendy Young (Cape Town, South Africa) who is the squad's leading scorer with a team-high 70 goals and 97 points. For the third straight season, she is the team leader in steals with 88.

"Jemma is having a spectacular year," remarked Huckins. "With her defense, shooting and speed, she is a nightmare to contain."

The 'Wick offense is also buoyed by fellow seniors Katie Ermakova (Columbia, MD) and Sami Capparelli (Miami, FL). Ermakova has put up career numbers for Hartwick this season with 58 goals, 35 assists, 93 points, and 42 steals. Capparelli, last year's CWPA Western Division Player of the Year, is second on the Hawks in goals with 62 and is the team leader in kick-outs drawn with 52.

"Sami has just gotten back into form after off-season surgery and is starting to play as she did last year," said Huckins. "Katie is finally settling into a role with this team and is as dangerous of an offensive threat as there is in this league."

Michaela Davies (Cronulla, Australia) has started all 32 games in the cage for 'Wick this season. Davies has logged 912 minutes in goal and totaled 303 saves for the Hawks in 2014. Only a sophomore, she has tallied 481 saves during her time with Hartwick and is already fifth in total saves on the all-time list.

"Michaela had been dealing with injuries at the start of the season but has seemed to overcome those as she is playing great as of late," noted Huckins.  

The Hawks won the CWPA Eastern title in 2004, 2006 and 2007. In the history of the CWPA Eastern Championship, only four other active teams have taken home the crown. Defending champion Princeton (2013, 2012, 2000), Indiana (2011, 2003), Michigan (2010, 2009, 2008, 2005, 2002), and Brown (2001) join former league members Massachusetts (1999, 1998), Maryland (1997) and Slippery Rock (1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988) in the record books.