Water Polo Season Cut Short Due to Coronavirus Pandemic

The water polo team cancelled the remainder of its season following the University’s decision to move courses online due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. 

The Collegiate Water Polo Association also announced the cancellation of all scheduled tournaments, drawing the season to an abrupt end. 

The Red Flash program was just getting into the groove of things after returning from its Spring Break trip to California. 

Erin O’Neill, the lone senior on the team, is the first to finish a four-year career with the SFU water polo program. She closed out her career with a win – on its Spring Break trip to California, the team defeated La Verne, 10-9, on March 8. 

“We are disappointed that the season came to such an abrupt stop, but happy that we were able to end it on a high note,” said Erin O’Neill. 

“This team had a lot of potential this year and we are sad that we aren’t able to show the capabilities in our conference games.”

Head coach Jay O’Neil is proud of what his lone senior was able to accomplish over her career at SFU. 

“We are so proud and sad for Erin O’Neill.  She was the first player in school history to complete, well almost, her four full years,” said Jay O’Neil. 

“She was a team captain and one of the best center defenders in our conference.” 

The 2020 team was young, with 11 freshmen on the roster. 

Freshman Taylor Halbauer was a standout among the newcomers, recording 11 goals, four steals and one assist in her rookie season. The native of Edmonton, Canada, led the team in scoring . 

“As you would expect with a young team, we had a bunch of ups and downs during the beginning of the season,” said Jay O’Neil. “We had just begun to hit our stride when the season came to a halt.”

SFU ended the season with a 6-13 final record.