By Mia Gallagher · Sports Editor
The Grove City College women’s water polo secured three key wins last weekend to improve to 3-1 in Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III play. Not only did this successful showing produce the team’s first victories of the season, but it also served as the perfect setting for the Wolverines’ senior day festivities.
The Wolverines opened the two-day competition with a decisive 16-6 victory over Wheaton (Mass.). Later that day, they would fall 13-11 to PAC rival Washington & Jefferson.
The following day, Grove City rallied for a 17-13 victory over Connecticut College. They later tallied a close 15-14 win over Penn State Behrend in the nightcap, securing a successful senior day sweep.
“It felt amazing to win against both Connecticut and PSB. These games were incredibly important in determining how we are seeded at championships in April, so these wins meant a lot,” senior goalie Lea Steen said.
“This was our first time playing Connecticut this season but we played PSB on Feb. 27 and lost by two points. Our win against them goes to show that our team is improving as the season is progressing. As we progress in the season, we are learning how to fully work together as a team and capitalize on each other’s strengths,” Steen said.
Leading the offensive charge against Connecticut were sophomore Frances Baksa and junior Shastyn Tihansky, who each tallied six goals in the victory. The duo also combined for eight assists on the day.
Senior Kiley Sill and sophomore Emma Strahorn got in on the action with two goals apiece, while freshman Amelia Hervey and senior Candace Scalise chipped in a combined three assists.
Against PSB, freshman Emily Addison supplied the game-winning goal, breaking the 14-14 deadlock and ending the match in regulation. In addition to the game-winner, Addison tallied three other goals and two assists in the victory.
Joining Addison were Baksa and Tihansky, who combined for 11 goals and seven assists. Steen notched nine saves and two steals in goal to secure the narrow win.
During this Saturday sweep, the team honored its three seniors: Scalise, Sill and Steen.
Reflecting on her experience with Grove City water polo, Steen shared she will miss the team’s community and Christ-centered culture most.
“The water polo team has provided such a deep sense of community for me at college. Making new friendships and just spending time as a team has been my favorite part of playing here. I will miss being on a team that works to glorify God in all that we do. I truly believe that this Christ-centered group of girls playing water polo together is a unique blessing that I will only experience once,” Steen said.
Looking ahead, the Wolverines travel to Kenosha, Wis. this weekend to take on the CPWA-DIII West teams, providing the team with another opportunity to fine-tune their skills before their conference championship in April.
“The competition in the West is definitely tougher. We will be playing against teams that have travel teams and can sub the bench three times over. In comparison, we only have two subs, meaning we have to have a lot more endurance than our competition and we have to be careful not to let ourselves get injured. We all “I try to look out for each other and take care of one another because of this,” Scalise said.
“I’m not sure what to expect in terms of winning this weekend, but I know that every time we play these teams, we come back stronger and more skilled. The most important thing to our team is improvement. I expect that we will be challenged this weekend, but it will make us better for the coming games against the Eastern teams,” Scalise said.
