TEMPE, Ariz. – No. 22 Harvard women's water polo closed out its weekend at the Arizona State Invitational II with a 20-8 victory over No. 25 Marist (12-9). The Crimson improves to (16-4, 4-1 CWPA) after a 2-1 showing in Tempe.
Brooke Hourigan got the show started early at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center, scoring a pair of goals in the first 80 seconds to put the Crimson in front. Harvard would go on to have one of its finest offensive periods of the season, pouring in eight goals within the first eight minutes.
Dany Zapata netted the third before assisting
Erin Kim on the fourth tally, as
Evan Tingler eventually capped the outburst to put number eight on the board.
The Crimson took an 8-3 lead into the second period, where
Zoe Banks would go on to save four of the five shots that she faced in the second frame. The offense continued rolling in front of Banks, with Tingler and
Borden Wahl netting their second of the game, and Kim notching two more before the half to make it a 13-4 game at the break.
Grace Thawley scored the first of the second half before depositing a five-meter shot to give herself a hat-trick, as Wahl would also net her third of the game in between the Thawley tallies. Marist would score on the power-play to make it a 16-6 game with 3:46 remaining in the third, which would lead to seven-plus minute stretch of scoreless water polo that extended into the fourth period. Thawley and Zapata would get back on the scoresheet in the fourth, as
Erin Kim netted two late scores to give herself a career-high five goals, and the Crimson a 20-8 victory.
Harvard Highlights
- Junior Evan Tingler totaled two goals, three assists and three steals in the victory.
- First-year Erin Kim scored a career-high five goals to pace the unit while adding an assist and steal.
- Junior goalie Zoe Banks saved 12 of the 20 shots that she faced while picking up a steal.
- Junior Grace Thawley netted four goals to go along with four ejections drawn. Sophomore Ella Prentice also tallied four DKOs.
- Junior Borden Wahl scored a hat trick and contributed two assists.
- Frist-year Dany Zapata added two goals and a game-high four assists.
Game Notes
- Harvard hit the 20-goal mark for the third time this season.
- The Crimson remains undefeated in neutral site games at 7-0, with its next two games of the same nature.
- Harvard moves to 15-1 this season when limiting its opponents to under 10 goals.
- The Crimson picks up its fourth victory over a ranked opponent this season.
What's Next?
The Crimson will head up the coast for a mid-week contest against No. 20 San Diego State on Wednesday, March 16. The tilt will be hosted by Southwestern College in Chula Vista, Calif., and is set for a 6:00 p.m. PT start time.
