WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson College women's water polo team (2-0) opened its 2026 campaign with wins in home matches against the Grove City Wolverines (0-1) and the Penn State Behrend Lions (0-2).
 
W&J 18, Grove City 17 3OT
Emmie Ratcliff (Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood) led the Presidents with a nine-goal performance, including the game-winner.
 
The two teams did not show much separation right from the opening swim-off. Sophomore Autumn Woollcott (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) found the back of the net twice in the opening period. The Wolverines matched the Presidents' scoring, and the two teams were deadlocked at two going into the second period.
 
W&J was able to obtain a slight 4-3 advantage in the second period. Second year E. Ratcliff scored her first two goals of the contest. Freshman Mackenzie Caron (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin) and junior Hallie Ratcliff (Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood) both got themselves on the scoresheet in that frame. The Presidents took a 6-5 lead into the halftime interval.
 
The Wolverines played a strong third period, outscoring the Presidents 8-3 to take a 13-9 lead going into the final frame. The Ratcliff sisters each scored a goal in the third interval. Freshman Chloe Majorprice (Manchester, Mich./Skyline) also got her first collegiate goal to round out the scoring for W&J.
 
The Presidents kept fighting in the final period. W&J was down 14-10 before going on a 5-1 run to send the game to overtime in the final seconds. The Ratcliff sisters combined for five goals in the final period. Woollcott also got her second goal of the match in the closing frame of regulation.
 
In overtime, E. Ratcliff scored two goals from a five-meter penalty shot in the first overtime. The Wolverines replied in the second overtime period with two goals of their own. Sophomore E. Ratcliff capped off her impressive performance with the game-winner in the third overtime period.  
 
Caron successfully won four out of the five opening swim-offs in the contest.
 
W&J 19, PSU Behrend 11
Caron headlined the Presidents' second game of the day with nine goals of her own. The freshman also won three out of four swim-offs in W&J's favor.
 
Both teams opened the contest with four goals apiece in the opening period. Freshman Riley Gutierrez (Deer Park, Texas/Deer Park) scored her first collegiate goal in the frame. Caron got her first two of the game, and Woollcott added to her tally as well.
 
The Presidents separated themselves from the Lions in the second period. Caron had four of the team's seven goals in the second. Woollcott scored her second of the game, and the Ratcliff sisters each got themselves on the scoresheet. Solid defense by the Presidents', including freshman goalkeeper Lani Weaver (Conroe, Texas/Conroe), only allowed one goal by the Lions.
 
W&J kept the momentum in the third period, outscoring the Lions 5-2 and increasing their lead to 16-7. Caron and E. Ratcliff each scored two goals in the third interval. Gutierrez also scored her second goal of the game.
 
The Lions tried to close the gap in the fourth, but the Presidents were able to hold on to take the win. Caron and the Ratcliff sisters each added a goal to the overall tally that helped round out a 19-11 win for W&J.
 
The Presidents return to the pool next weekend when they travel up to Erie for a slate of three games. W&J will take on Penn State Behrend and La Salle on Saturday (Feb. 28) before clashing with hosts Mercyhurst on Sunday (March 1). The first match is scheduled to begin at noon.