Women's Water Polo | February 4, 2024

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. – Explorer water polo competed at the Bruno Classic this weekend, playing two ranked teams in #25 Pomona-Pitzer and #18 Harvard, and find themselves coming out of the tournament 2-2, not sitting at 3-2 overall this season.
 
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HOW IT HAPPENED (#25 POMONA-PITZER):

• The Explorers entered this game facing the biggest test of the season, so early on against such a high-flying team in the Sagehens.
• Pomona-Pitzer got the first goal of the game, but was quickly followed by the first goal as an Explorer for Martina Bonet Saez. That was followed by a power play goal from Sofia Kolovou.
• The Sagehens would then go on a three-goal run, which was stopped by La Salle's Francesca Co' with 1:23 left in the second period.
• Kolovou would tie things up early in the third, but the lead would not last long. Co' then netted a goal to tie things back up at five.
• Pomona-Pitzer went on a four-goal run at that point, bringing the lead up to 9-5, before the Explorers would try and get back in the game, to no avail. The Sagehens would win 10-7.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED (SAINT FRANCIS):

• The contest was won by the Explorers thanks to the contributions of three individuals: Francesca Co', Sofia Kolovou, and Martina Bonet Saez.
• The trio combined for all nine of the Explorer goals, three coming from each of the players.
• In the fourth period of the match, things were tied up at seven goals apiece, but the Explorers would find two more goals to tip the scales and get La Salle on top for the second win of the season. The Explorers won 9-7.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED (#18 HARVARD):

• The Explorers would face the second ranked team on the schedule against the Crimson on Sunday and would fight with the #18 team in the nation until the final seconds of the game.
• Francesca Co' would lead La Salle with four goals of her own. Two goals came from Hannah Woren, one from Claire Durham, and one from Casey Malone.
• Ultimately it would not be enough to get the win as Harvard found the game-winning goal with two seconds left in the fourth period. Harvard won 9-8.

HOW IT HAPPENED (AUSTIN COLLEGE):

• The Explorers capped off the weekend earning a 13-6 win over the Austin College 'Roos.
• La Salle would jump off to an early lead in the first period of play, ending the period with a 5-1 lead. The second would be more of the same from the Explorers, ending the first half of play up 8-3.
• Goal contributions for the Explorers would come from Francesca Co' (3), Tatum Lomax (3), Sofia Kolovou (2), Casey Malone (2), and one goal apiece from Grace Smith, Hannah Woren, and Paige Mitchell.

 
UP NEXT:

• The Explorers will take the 3-2 record to the Bucknell Invitational next weekend.
• The first match will be against Mercyhurst, the second time the Explorers and Lakers will face this season. The game will start on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 11:40 a.m.
• That will be followed by a meeting with Mount St. Mary's at 2:20 p.m.
• On Sunday, Feb. 11 La Salle will face Villanova at 10:20 a.m. and then Wagner at 3:40 p.m.