WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson College women's water polo team (7-7, 4-3) splits a pair of games on day two of the Collegiate Water Polo Association Weekend hosted by the Presidents. The team opened the day with a tight 11-10 defeat against the sixth-ranked Macalester Scots (11-5, 6-1) before closing out the evening with a 14-13 win over the Austin Kangaroos, who are receiving votes (5-8, 2-4).
 
W&J 10, Macalester 11
 
Sophomore Emmie Ratcliff (Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood) led the Presidents offensively, scoring six goals against the Scots. Freshman Mackenzie Caron (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin) netted two in the contest. Additionally, freshman Riley Gutierrez (Deer Park, Texas/Deer Park) and sophomore Autumn Woollcott (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) each had a goal to round out the W&J scoring.
 
The two teams showed to be close in the standings right from the opening swim off. Macalester took a narrow two-goal lead after the opening sixteen minutes with a 7-5 advantage. The Presidents would not go down without a fight as they won the third period 2-1 to cut the Scots lead in half. W&J continued to try and come back but Macalester found one extra goal late in the fourth to win the match 11-10.
 
Freshman Lani Weaver (Conroe, Texas/Conroe) made five saves in goal for the Presidents throughout the contest.
 
W&J 14, Austin 13
 
Caron and E. Ratcliff each had five goals in win against the Roos. Caron finished the day with three steals and won all four swim-offs to begin each quarter. E. Ratcliff also had one assist during the win. Additionally, junior Hallie Ratcliff (Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood) finished the day with two goals, three assists, and a blocked shot. Gutierrez and freshman Chloe Majorprice (Manchester, Mich./Skyline) each had a goal to round out the scoring. Gutierrez also tallied four assists.
 
Like the last contest, the match showed that both teams were close in the standings and receiving votes in the weekly Division III polls. W&J took a narrow one goal lead in the opening period with Caron scoring two goals. Majorprice and E. Ratcliff each found themselves on the scoresheet early as W&J took a 4-3 lead.
 
W&J expanded on their lead by scoring five goals in the second period. E. Ratcliff sent two shots to the back of the net. Gutierrez, Caron, and H. Ratclife each had one in the period. Strong defense by W&J held Austin to only one goal and allowed the Red & Black to take a 9-4 lead into the second half of play.
 
The Roos started to claw their way back in the second half, but W&J's defense held strong to maintain the lead. The Presidents scored two in the quarter and took a narrow 11-9 lead into the final period. E. Ratcliff and Caron each scored in the frame. W&J netted their final three goals in the final period of play to round out their scoring at 14. The defense combated one last Austin attack to take the narrow 14-13 victory. Caron, and the Ratcliff sisters each scored in the final period.
 
Weaver held strong and made 10 saves on defense for W&J. Offensively, Weaver also tallied an assist for the Presidents.
 
W&J returns to Henry Natatorium tomorrow (March 29) for one final match at their home CWPA weekend. The Presidents are slated to take on the Carthage Firebirds, who are receiving votes in the most recent Division III poll. The match will begin at 2:15 p.m.