March 6, 2010

Harvard Drops Pair to Maryland and No. 20 Princeton on Day One of 2010 Elite Eight Tournament

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Harvard University women's water polo team dropped two games on the first day of the Elite Eight Tournament hosted by Indiana University. The Crimson fell to the University of Maryland by a 13-10 final score in the opening round before dropping a 12-6 game to No. 20-nationally ranked Princeton University in the consolation semifinals.

Harvard opened the day with a 13-10 loss at the hands of Maryland. The Crimson trailed 4-2 after the first quarter and 6-3 heading into halftime. Harvard stormed out of the locker room to tie the score at 7-7 going into the fourth quarter. The Terrapins managed to outscore the Crimson, 6-3, in the final eight minutes to walk away with the win. Ita Barton-Kettleborough, Devan Kennifer and freshman Aisha Price all recorded hat tricks in the match. Lizzie Abbott also buried a marker in the game. Laurel McCarthy turned aside four shots against Maryland.

The Crimson played fellow Ivy Leaguer Princeton later in the day. The two teams each scored a pair of goals in the opening eight minutes of play. The Tigers owned a 6-5 advantage after the first half. Harvard stayed within striking distance in the third quarter, trailing 8-6 going into the fourth quarter. The Crimson was unable to find the back of the net in the fourth quarter. Barton-Kettleborough turned in her second three-goal performance of the day. Abbott, Kennifer and Price each tallied a goal apiece for Harvard. McCarthy made seven saves between the pipes. The Crimson falls to 7-5 on the year.

Harvard will close out the weekend against Bucknell University tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Game 4 1 2 3 4 F
Maryland 4 2 1 6 13
Harvard 2 1 4 3 10

Maryland Goals: Campbell 5, Powers 3, Ernst 2, Simerly 2, Lewis 1
Maryland Saves: Stein 5, Reyes 4
Harvard Goals: Barton-Kettleborough 3, Kennifer 3, Price 3, Abbott 1
Harvard Saves: McCarthy 4

Game 6 1 2 3 4 F
Princeton 2 4 2 4 12
Harvard 2 3 1 0 6

Princeton Goals: Zwirner 4, Champion 2, Hutchison 2, Brunner 1, Levine 1, Meigs 1, Zak 1
Princeton Saves: Ward 10, du Pont 1
Harvard Goals: Barton-Kettleborough 3, Abbott 1, Kennifer 1, Smith 1
Harvard Saves: McCarthy 7

Release courtey Harvard Athletic Communications