CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Orli Cooper was named to the 2026 Cutino Award Watch List, as announced today by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC), USA Water Polo, and The Olympic Club.

The Peter J. Cutino Award, named in honor of the late Hall of Fame coach, recognizes the best player in men's and women's college water polo each year. The watch list, created in 2022, helps promote the college game, raise awareness of the award, and highlight the excellent play of athletes across the country. The top 20 athletes, as submitted by varsity college coaches, have been recognized for their outstanding performances.

Cooper is one of two goaltenders among the 20 athletes named to the list. Earning the national honor for the first time in her career, she joins Maya O'Dea as one of two players on the roster to be named to the watch list.

A four-time CWPA Defensive Player of the Week honoree, Cooper has been a major piece of the team's success over the last two seasons. Posting a 49-10 record as the starting goalie in her first two seasons, Cooper has backstopped the Crimson to a 23-3 record this season and its best start in program history through 20 games, after opening the year 19-1. Helping the Crimson rise as high as No. 7 in the CWPA polls, Cooper averages 6.8 saves per game.

Harvard closes the regular season next weekend in Providence, taking on the Bears.