Harvard Women’s Water Polo Shines in All-Conference Weekend
LEWISBURG, PA. – The No. 7 Harvard women’s water polo team had a busy weekend, winning three out of four games in their first all-conference matchups of the season.
On Saturday, the Crimson dominated both games, defeating Bucknell and Saint Francis with an impressive combined score of 31-11. They first took on Bucknell, winning 14-8, followed by a commanding 17-3 victory over Saint Francis. This put Harvard at an outstanding 11-0, marking their best start in over 22 years.
In the Bucknell game, Harvard had a strong lead of 8-2 by halftime. Despite Bucknell’s attempt to rally in the third quarter, bringing the score to 11-7, solid defensive plays and goals from Ella Schneider, Maya O’Dea, and Sofia Del Villar secured the win for the Crimson.
Against Saint Francis, Harvard quickly took control, leading 9-1 at halftime. Lucy Levenberg-Penklis was a standout, scoring in every quarter, while Heidi Heffelfinger and Ella Schneider both netted three goals.
However, on Sunday morning, Harvard faced their first loss of the season against No. 14 Michigan in a thrilling match that ended 14-13. After trailing early, Harvard made a strong comeback but fell just short. The team ended the weekend on a high note, finishing with a 16-6 win against Mercyhurst.
This weekend’s results show Harvard’s resilience and talent, its best start in over two decades, and the growing competitive nature of college water polo. As the season progresses, many are curious to see how the Crimson will adapt and who will emerge as key players.
For more on college sports trends, you can check out the NCAA statistics here.
Game Recap:
- Harvard 14, Bucknell 8
- Harvard 17, Saint Francis 3
- Michigan 14, Harvard 13
