LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University women's swimming team heads back into the water this weekend to face the University of Pittsburgh, California University of Pennsylvania, Duquesne University, Lock Haven University, and Carnegie Mellon University as part of the Western PA Invite.
 
Ways to Watch:
Friday Link: https://bit.ly/3H9s6Co
Saturday Link: https://bit.ly/3ACPWE0
 
Scouting Pitt
The Panthers enter this weekend's contest after defeating Villanova by the score of 176.50 to 121.50 this past Thursday. Pitt is led by senior Madison Nalls in the freestyle category as she holds the current top times this season at Pitt in the 100, and 1000-yard freestyles. Also, Pitt is guided by junior Daisy Anderson who holds season highs for the Panthers in the 200 fly, 200 back, and 400 IM races. Historically, Pitt has had the advantage over Saint Francis being 4-0 overall since the two teams began facing each other in 2017.
 
Scouting Duquesne
The Dukes enter Friday's contest with a 5-2 overall record and 3-0 at home on the season. Duquesne last swam on January 15^th where they defeated Marshall University 164-136. The Dukes are led by Orla Egan in the freestyle category as she came in first place in the 500 and 1000-yard freestyles. Additionally, Duquesne is guided in the backstroke department by freshman Hayley Taylor who claimed first place in the 100 and 200-yard backstroke events against Marshall. Overall, Saint Francis has a 2-16 record against Duquesne with their last win coming against the Dukes in 2012.
 
Scouting Cal U
The Vulcans enter this weekend's contest with a 7-2 overall record and winning six out of their last seven meets. Cal U has a 4-0 record away from home this season but it will also be the first time this season the Vulcans play against Division I competition. The Vulcans are led by Madison Moretti and Emily Guffey who both posted two victories each against Lock Haven on November 6^th, 2021. The Red Flash are 5-0 against the Vulcans in their history as they last faced off at the Western Pa Invite in 2020 where Saint Francis won 188-38.
 
Scouting Lock Haven
The Bald Eagles enter this weekend's contest with a 0-4 overall record and not having competed since the Wooster Invitational on December 4th. Lock Haven is led by Junior Madison Griffin who claimed victories recently against East Stroudsburg in the 100- and 200-yard backstroke events.
 
Scouting Carnegie Mellon
The Tartans enter this weekend's contest with a 2-1 overall record and not competing in an actual swim meet since November 20, 2021. Carnegie Mellon is guided in the water by Tiffany Tseng who has season high times in multiple freestyle and backstroke events for the Tartans. Saint Francis and Carnegie Mellon are accustomed to each other with both squads last meeting in the Western Pa Invite in 2020 with the Tartans taking the 193-100 win.
 
 
Last Time Out
Last Saturday at Stokes Natatorium was the first time back in the pool for Saint Francis since December 3^rd as they defeated Siena College 164-124. The Red Flash had multiple swimmers with first-place finishes as Krysta Weik, Amelia Laudenbach, Aurem Pifarre-Planes, Jessica Rupp, and Sara Blanco all finished the day with at least one race win. The Red Flash had two swimmers be honored with NEC Prime Performers of the Week honors, being Weik and Laudenbach with a combined five victories between them on the day. Saint Francis will look to carry momentum from this invitational into the NEC Championships as that will be the next time they face competition in the pool.
 
Next
Saint Francis will be idle for almost a whole month as they will wait until February 22^nd to compete in the NEC Championships at SPIRE Aquatics Center in Geneva, Ohio.