ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The Washington & Jefferson College women's water polo team dropped the first game in the 2025 USA Water Polo Collegiate Division III National Championship Tournament to the three-time reigning champions Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens (No. 1 seed), 19-6.

The Presidents were led by Sydney Neumann (Long Beach, Calif./Millikan) who had three of the Red & Black's six goals. Hallie Ratcliff (Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood), Anastacia Didovich (Venice, Fla./Venice) and Laura Anthony (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) also all netted a goal each.

W&J held the Sagehens to a 4-2 lead after the first quarter. Sydney Neumann (Long Beach, Calif./Millikan) netted the first score for the Presidents on a behind the back shot. Hallie Ratcliff (Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood) scored the Presidents other goal of the first quarter on a long-range attempt.

Keeping things close, the Presidents were only outscored 3-2 in the second quarter to head into the half down 7-4. Anthony scored the first goal for the Presidents in the second, 6-3. Neumann netted another score with 30 seconds left in the half.

Pomona-Pitzer pulled away in the third quarter overpowering W&J with an 8-1 quarter, 15-5. The Presidents lone goal was netted by Didovich at the 3:56 mark.

The Sagehens tacked on four more in the final quarter before the Presidents Neumann found the net for the final W&J score, 19-6.

The Presidents will take on No. 2 seed Augustana at 10:30 a.m. CDT in the 2025 USA Water Polo Collegiate Division III National Championship Tournament third-place game tomorrow (May 4). The contest will be a rematch of the Collegiate Water Polo Association Championship game.