W. Water Polo Wins Three At Princeton Invitational

The Harvard women’s water polo team opened its season by taking three of its four matches in the Princeton Invitational at DeNunzio Pool this weekend.

The Crimson (3-1) took a 9-6 shootout over Wagner on Saturday, but fell later in the day to host Princeton, 8-4. Harvard rebounded for wins over Villanova and Bucknell yesterday.

The wins were the first for Erik Farrar as coach of the women’s water polo team, which finished No. 20 in the national rankings at the end of last season.

HARVARD 5, BUCKNELL 2

The Crimson used a three-goal outburst in the game’s final quarter to push past the Bison 5-2 yesterday.

Bucknell (3-1) and Harvard traded goals in the first quarter, but the Bison added another in the second quarter to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

After the break, the Crimson took control of the contest, scoring once in the third quarter to pull even at 2. Harvard beat Bucknell goalie Mandy Bynum three times in the fourth to cap off the 4-0 second run and the 5-2 victory.

Senior Teresa Codini recorded three goals in the victory.

HARVARD 6, VILLANOVA 4

Leading 6-2 after three quarters, the Crimson held on to beat the Wildcats 6-4 in the early game yesterday.

Harvard found the Villanova net twice in the first quarter to grab a 2-1 lead after one. The Crimson added another in the second period, while holding the Wildcats scoreless to take a 3-1 lead into the break.

After the intermission, Harvard quickly pressed its advantage, registering three third-quarter goals, while holding Villanova (1-3) to just one.

Freshman Stephanie Wilson scored three goals in the Crimson’s win.

PRINCETON 8, HARVARD 4

The Crimson couldn’t keep pace with the robust Tigers attack, as it fell 8-4 to host Princeton Saturday night.

The Tigers outscored Harvard 2-1 in the first period and would go on to match that result in each of the subsequent quarters.

Trailing 4-2 at halftime, the Crimson watched as Princeton recorded the first two goals of the third quarter, before Harvard finally stopped the bleeding with a much needed tally. But the Crimson could pull no closer, as the Tigers added two fourth quarter goals to defeat Harvard by a four-goal margin.

Junior Arin Keyser led Harvard with two goals and Codini and freshman Laura Snyder each added one.

HARVARD 9, WAGNER 6

Codini and junior Molly Mehaffey each netted three goals as the Crimson opened up the Princeton Invitational with a 9-6 win over Wagner.

Harvard jumped out to a 3-1 lead after one quarter, but the Seahawks responded to close the deficit to one, 4-3, by halftime.

Both sides found the net twice in the third period, as the Crimson clung to a 6-5 lead heading into the final quarter.

Harvard scored three goals, while limiting Wagner to just one, as it cruised to a 9-6 victory.

The Crimson will return home next weekend for the Ivy Invitational at Blodgett Pool.

—MICHAEL R. JAMES