WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson College women's water polo team (8-7, 5-3) closes out the final day of the Collegiate Water Polo Association weekend at the Henry Natatorium with a 14-12 win over the Carthage Firebirds (6-14, 5-3).

Freshman Riley Gutierrez (Deer Park, Texas/Deer Park) led the Presidents offensively with four goals on the day, including two in the final period of play. Sophomore Emmie Ratcliff (Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood) and freshman Mackenzie Caron (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin) each had three goals and two assists. Caron also had five steals on defense.
 
W&J found themselves with an early one-goal advantage, going into the second period with a 4-3 lead. Gutierrez netted two goals, and each of the Ratcliff sisters scored one in the opening eight minutes.
 
The Firebirds got their offense rolling in the second period, outscoring the Presidents 4-1 to take a 7-5 lead into the second half of play. Junior Hallie Ratcliff (Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood) scored the lone goal in the quarter.
 
W&J did not go away that easily. The Presidents responded with a four-goal period of their own to tie the game at nine going into the final period. Sophomore Autumn Woollcott (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) scored a pair in the third frame. E. Ratcliff and Caron each netted one during the third section of eight minutes. Strong defense, led by freshman Lani Weaver (Conroe, Texas/Conroe), successfully held the Carthage attack to only two goals.
 
The two teams traded goals in the fourth before W&J found one last offensive attack to net two unanswered scores and take the overall 14-12 victory.  Gutierrez and Caron each found the twine twice, and E. Ratcliff rounded out the scoring with one of her own.
 
Weaver made ten saves in goal for the Presidents and had one steal. The team combined for thirteen steals throughout the winning performance.
 
W&J will head to the CWPA Division III Championships on Friday (April 10) in Norton, Mass, hosted by the Wheaton (Mass.) Lyons. The Presidents will enter the conference championships as the No. 3 seed and take on the Grove City Wolverines at 1:00 p.m.