Hendrix was one of nine members of the Crimson to score on the day (Zach Williamson).
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The No. 18 Harvard women's water polo team split its final games of the Aztec Invitational Sunday at the Aztec Aquaplex. The Crimson cruised past Chapman, 16-6, in its opener before coming up short against No. 11 UC San Diego, 10-7.
Harvard 16, Chapman 6
Resuming its series since its lone contest in 1996, Harvard (12-4) picked up where it left off, using an 11-0 run in the first half to cruise to a 16-6 victory. Kristen Hong and Sami Strutner paced the offense with three goals apiece, while Sam Acker and Cleo Harrington each tallied a trio of saves in net.
Michelle Martinelli and Yoshi Andersen netted the opening goals of the game before Chapman (3-12) got on the board. Harvard's defense locked in while its offense caught fire, closing out the period with a 4-0 run to take a 6-1 lead. The Crimson's attack was unrelenting in the second period as it ripped off a 7-0 run as seven different members of the Crimson found the back of the net, pushing Harvard's lead to 13-1 at the break.
The Panthers outscored the Crimson in the third period, making it a 14-4 game. However, it was too little too late as Harvard cruised to the end, taking its second victory of the invitational, 16-6.
No. 11 UC San Diego 10, Harvard 7
UC San Diego (18-5) capitalized on man-up situations, tallying half of its goals on the power play to edge Harvard, 10-7, in its Aztec Invitational finale.
Colby Stapleton, Anderson and Hong each recorded a pair of goals, while Harrington tallied nine saves in net.
Melissa Balding and Stapleton bookended the opening period scoring as UC San Diego held the upper hand at 3-2. The Crimson offense was shutout in the second period, while the Tritons tacked on another trio of scores to take a 6-2 advantage at the half.
Harvard and UC San Diego exchanged goals in the third period as the score held at 8-4. UC San Diego took a five-goal lead to open the final period, but Harvard rallied late as Charlotte Hendrix, Andersen and Hong fueled a 3-0 run, putting Harvard within two at 9-7 with just over three minutes remaining. The Tritons halted the Crimson's last-minute rally, adding an insurance goal in the final seconds to sink Harvard, 10-7, to close out the invitational.
Harvard will have three days off before returning to action for a doubleheader in Northridge. The Crimson will take on CSUN at 5:30 p.m. before facing Redlands at 8 p.m.
