The water polo team celebrated its Senior Day with a 20-7 win over Washington & Jefferson on March 14 at the Stokes Natatorium.
SFU and W&J were tied, 3-3, after the first quarter before SFU grabbed a 6-4 halftime lead. A dominant third quarter helped Saint Francis extend the lead to 14-4 and put the game out of reach.
Caylah Olay led the Red Flash with five goals, while Bella Castaneda added four. Megan Marlin and Lucy Willis each scored three goals.
SFU goalkeeper Victoria Tamarit recorded 13 saves. Eight different Red Flash players scored in the victory, and all six seniors found the back of the net in their final home game.
“It’s always good to win on senior night,” head coach Jay O’Neil said. “Being our only home game of the season, it’s good to play well in front of our home crowd.
“Every three or four years you try to recruit a class to build a team around, and this class was it,” O’Neil said. “They work hard, are great with the younger players, and are a lot of fun to coach.”
Senior Lucy Willis, an Occupational Therapy major from Fort Thomas, Kentucky, said the win was very meaningful.
“It was an incredible feeling,” Willis said. “It’s such a privilege to play for your friends and family in your home pool. We all wanted that win for them and for each other.”
Senior Lexy Gonzalez, a Biology/Pre-Pharmacy major from Reading, Pennsylvania, echoed that sentiment.
“It meant everything to win with such an amazing group of girls,” Gonzalez said. “Senior night is one of those moments you only get once, so getting the win made it even more special.”
Willis said the team’s chemistry was an important factor in the victory.
“Every play, every move, every goal and every block is for each other,” Willis said. “I hope our team chemistry is as obvious to our fans as it is to us.”
Gonzalez said that the team’s connection defined the senior class.
“This senior class was special to me because we were more than just teammates – we were like a family,” Gonzalez said. “We went through a lot together, but we always pushed each other to be better.”
Willis said the relationships built within the program will stay with her forever.
