Women's Water Polo | 4/16/2016 9:01:00 PM
PRINCETON, NJ – Hartwick water polo fell by slim margins in a pair of CWPA games at Princeton on Saturday. The Hawks were edged by Harvard 12-11 in their first game and then fell to Michigan 13-11. 'Wick, which is ranked 21 in the latest CWPA poll, slips to 15-10 overall.
The Hawks lost to the Crimson by a single goal for the second time in just over three weeks. 'Wick led by a count of 11-8 with under four minutes to play in the game but Harvard rallied for the final four goals for the win.
The two teams played to a 4-4 stalemate through the first half of play.
Nikolina Mihajlovik (Mississauga, ONT/Silverthorn Collegiate Inst.) would score twice with
Brittany Tait (Kariong, Australia/Harry Kendall HS) and
Zsofia Polak (Dunaujvaros, Hungary/Rudas HS) adding goals as Hartwick opened up an 8-5 advantage in the third quarter. Harvard answered with three goals in the final 3:13 to even the game once again, 8-8.
Lauren Brennan (Canberra, Australia/St. Clares College),
L.J. Edwards (Encinitas, CA/Cathedral Catholic), and Tait scored consecutive goals in a 59-second span to give the Hawks a three-goal cushion. Harvard tallied at 3:16 and then again at 2:47 to pull within one. The Crimson tied the score at 11 with 2:06 left to play and scored what would prove to be the game-winner with 1:27 left.
Polak, Mihajlovik, and Tait each scored three goals in the game for the Hawks offensively. Michelle Martinelli and Melissa Balding recorded four goals apiece for Harvard.
Against the Wolverines, Mihajlovik led the Hawks with five goals and an assist. Polak added three goals and two helpers. Brennan tallied twice and dished out two assists. Tait contributed a team-best three assists.
Tait (3), Polak (2), and Brennan (2) combined for seven of the Hawks' 11 steals in the contest.
Michaela Davies (Cronulla, Australia/Kirawee) and
Josette Santos (Huntington Beach, CA/Edison) played in goal for 'Wick. Davies stopped four shots. Santos made six saves and she contributed two steals.
Hartwick continues play tomorrow with game against host Princeton and Indiana. The Tigers are ranked #15 in the country. The Hoosiers are ranked #13.
