Women's Water Polo | 4/26/2015 4:06:00 PM
PRINCETON, NJ – Nikolina Mihajlovik's (Mississauga, ONT) goal with 36 seconds left in the second overtime period was the difference as Hartwick defeated #18 Michigan 12-11 in the CWPA third place game Sunday at Princeton's DeNunzio Pool.
The win for the Hawks ends their season record at 20-19. It marks the 15
th consecutive 20-win season for Hartwick water polo. It is also the best conference finish for the Hawks since winning the title in 2007. For his efforts, 'Wick head coach
Alan Huckins was named the Doc Hunkler Coach of the Tournament.
Most Outstanding Player
Blanca Anton Cuesta (Madrid, Spain) scored a game-high six goals, including two in each of the fourth quarter and the overtime periods to pace Hartwick.
The Hawks and Wolverines each scored twice in the opening quarter. Anton Cuesta and Mihajlovik registered he Hartwick goals.
Hartwick briefly gained the upper hand in the second quarter on a
Katie McKenty (Auckland, New Zealand) goal early in the period, but the Wolverines would tie it for a 3-3 stalemate at halftime.
The Hawks fell behind 1:35 into the third quarter and Michigan maintained that lead until deep into the fourth quarter. 'Wick trailed 8-6 with 4:25 remaining in the game. Anton Cuesta answered with a goal 25 seconds later to cut the deficit to one, and she tied it with 1:57 left to play in regulation.
She scored again 1:13 into the first overtime period to give the Hawks the lead, 9-8. Michigan evened the game 35 seconds later.
In the second extra frame, the Wolverines went up with 1:56 left in the contest. Anton Cuesta notched her 6
th goal of the game 34 seconds later to even the match at 10-10. Mihajlovik settled the score at 36 ticks.
Michaela Davies (Cronulla, Australia) would make 10 saves in the contest to help the Hawks to the victory.
Anton Cuesta was named to the CWPA All-Tournament First Team.
Zsofia Polak (Dunaujvaros, Hungary) was selected to the second team.
