Balding has scored in all four contests this season (Zach Williamson).

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Hitting the road for the first time this season, No. 21 women's water polo split its opening day at the Bruno Classic. Harvard fell late to No. 4 Hawaii in the opener, 13-8, before edging No. 20 Marist in the nightcap, 9-8.

Kristen Hong paced Harvard (3-1) with six goals on the day, while Yoshi Andersen notched a pair of tallies in each contest. Cleo Harrington stopped 18 shots in net on the day. 

In the opener against Hawaii (7-1), Hong and Melissa Balding matched the Warriors scoring output in the first period as the score held at 2-2. Balding and Hong struck again in the second frame, while Charlotte Hendrix lit up the scoreboard and Andersen added a pair of tallies as the Crimson trailed the Warriors, 8-7, at the half.

The offenses cooled off in the second half as Hawaii pulled ahead, 10-8, at the end of the third and added a trio of scores in the final frame to hand the Crimson its first loss of the seaon in a 13-8 decision.

In the subsequent game against Marist, Rachel Lobato notched her first goal of the season and Hong tallied a pair of goals, matching the Red Foxes as the score held at 3-3 at the half.

Marist pulled away in the third period, netting a trio of scores to take a 6-5 advantage. Harvard responded in the finale frame, notching four scorers, including a pair from Andersen, to pull out the 9-8 triumph.

Harvard will return to the pool tomorrow morning in a matchup against No. 13 Indian and close out the invitational against St. Francis Brooklyn at 3 p.m.