Trip to Indiana awaits Red Flash in 2021 opening weekend
Miles McQuiggan
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Saint Francis water polo team begins its spring 2021 season Saturday and Sunday in Indiana with four games at the Hoosier Invite, playing two against Salem and two against host Indiana.
The two games against Indiana will air on subscription-based Big Ten Network Plus. Live stats will be available for all four contests.
The Event: Hoosier Invite
Location: Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatics Center (Bloomington, Ind.)
Game 1: Saint Francis vs. Salem
Date and Time: Saturday, Feb. 6 – 2 p.m.
Live Stats: FOSH
Game 2: Saint Francis at Indiana
Date and Time: Saturday, Feb. 6 – 4 p.m.
Watch: BTN+ ($)
Live Stats: FOSH
Game 3: Saint Francis vs. Salem
Date and Time: Sunday, Feb. 7 – 10 a.m.
Live Stats: FOSH
Game 4: Saint Francis at Indiana
Date and Time: Sunday, Feb. 7 – 12 p.m.
Watch: BTN+ ($)
Live Stats: FOSH
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SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Salem went 13-10 a year ago in the second season of competition since the return of the Tigers program. Margherita Garibbo led the Tigers with 65 goals and 49 assists a year ago, while Annefleur ten Bloemendal added 64 goals and 46 assists, and the duo both recorded 40+ steals. Both return for Salem in 2021.
The Red Flash and Tigers met twice in 2019 with Salem winning 12-10 at Bucknell and 12-9 at Mercyhurst.
SCOUTING THE HOOSIERS
Indiana was 13-5 in 2020 and on a 10-game winning streak when the season was cut short. The Hoosiers recorded four wins over ranked opponents (Pacific, Marist, UC Davis, Cal Baptist) and played to three one-goal losses against teams in the Top 25.
Tina Doherty returns after leading Indiana with 50 goals in 2020. Izzy Mandema contributed 38 goals for the Hoosiers, who outscored opponents by an average of nearly seven goals per game.
THE 2021 RED FLASH
Saint Francis returns its top two scorers in
Taylor Halbauer (40 goals, 27 assists) and
Addison Williams (34 goals, 14 assists). Halbauer contributed 65 ejections drawn for the Red Flash, which also returns its top two goalies in total saves (
Heather Jacobson,
Rosalinda Rivera.) Rivera led the Red Flash in save percentage.
The Red Flash returns all five of its double-digit goal scorers from 2020 with junior
Breanna Dupperon and sophomores
Abbie Carter and
Carissa Semple back in action this spring along with Halbauer and Williams.
Saint Francis went 6-13 in 2020 and won back-to-back games against Redlands and La Verne before the season ended.
HALBAUER TRAINS WITH CANADIAN NATIONAL TEAM
Sophomore
Taylor Halbauer earned an opportunity last fall to train with Team Canada in Montreal. The Edmonton native was a member of the 18U Canadian National Team at the Women's Youth World Championships and won bronze for the 17U Canadians at the Youth Pan-American Championships. Halbauer scored at least one goal in 18 of 19 games in 2020.
THE SCHEDULE
Saint Francis' 2021 schedule, including the CWPA conference play format, will be announced in the near future.
Follow Saint Francis Water Polo on
Facebook,
Twitter, and
Instagram to get up-to-date information and a behind-the-scenes look at the Red Flash.
To learn more about Saint Francis University, visit
francis.edu.
