Aquawomen Engineer Victory

After trailing, 3-0, early in the first quarter, the Harvard women's water polo team quickly came back to defeat MIT, 11-4, last night at Blodgett Pool.

"People were nervous because it was our first game back [from spring break]," Captain Tracy Moran said. "We were just slow and not thinking together. We were definitely lacking in communication in this game."

As a result, the Engineers quickly scored three straight goals in the first three minutes of the game.

"I knew we were going to win today, even when we were down 3-0," Moran said.

Teammate Tara Gustilo, however, did not share Moran's confidence.

"MIT is one of the best teams in the East," Gustilo said. "After the first quarter, we were worried."

Kate Ford scored the only Crimson goal in the first period with three minutes remaining, and MIT led, 3-1, after the end of the first quarter.

With 4:39 remaining in the second quarter, Kaari Reierson scored the second goal for Harvard (3-0 overall). Forty-five seconds later, Gustilo tallied the tying goal and added two more consecutive scores to give the Crimson a 5-3 lead.

In the third quarter, Harvard completely dominated the game, scoring five unanswered goals. Gillian Salten and goalie Mel Berger each tallied assists in the period, while Moran scored two goals.

"It was a minute into the second quarter that we started playing well," Gustilo said. "By the third and fourth quarter, we were playing like we usually play."

The Engineers finally scored another goal early in the fourth period. But it was too late and too little for MIT. Valerie Nellen quickly answered the Engineers with the final goal of the evening, her second in the game.

Last night's game marks Harvard's second-straight win over the Engineers. The Crimson defeated MIT, 21-11, last week.

"MIT is always very strong," Harvard Coach Chris Hafferty said. "I'm surprised that we did so well against them. In the first quarter, we were rusty. But we did not lose our cool and came back to win."

Last year, Harvard defeated MIT in their first two meetings, but lost the next two.

Harvard will host the Harvard Invitational this weekend at Blodgett Pool. The Crimson will play MIT again Friday, follwed by a game against Princeton. On Saturday, it will face Boston College, Queens, and Brown.