Women's Water Polo | 3/20/2026 1:00:00 PM
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Saint Francis continues Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) conference play on March 21 in Princeton, N.J., taking on the University of Michigan and host Princeton University at DeNunzio Pool.
THE WORD ON MICHIGAN
Michigan enters the weekend with a 14-8 record after competing in the Convergence Tournament, where the Wolverines fell to No. 3 USC, 25-9, before rebounding with a 15-10 win over Cal State Fullerton. In the loss to USC, Emilia Mladjan and Ari Karampetsou each recorded multiple goals, while Sophia Bunnell made 13 saves in goal. The Wolverines responded against Cal State Fullerton, led by Mladjan's four goals and a six-point performance from Emma Gustafsson, as Michigan built an early lead and maintained control to secure the victory.
LAST TIME WE MET THE WOLVERINES
Saint Francis and Michigan last met on April 25, 2025, during the CWPA Championships, where the Red Flash fell 20-10. Saint Francis kept the game competitive early, with goals helping to narrow the margin in the first half. However, Michigan pulled ahead in the second half, scoring four unanswered goals in the third quarter to build a lead and take control of the game on their way to the win.
THE WORD ON PRINCETON
Princeton enters the weekend with an 18-5 record after competing at the Aztec Invitational, where the Tigers earned wins over Whittier, 24-4, and Pomona-Pitzer, 14-6, before falling to No. 9 Indiana, 11-10. In the win over Whittier, Olivia Krotts and Kendall Wyer contributed to a high-scoring effort, while Shanna Davidson and Ava Houlahan led the offense in the victory over Pomona-Pitzer. Against Indiana, Princeton stayed competitive throughout, with Davidson and Houlahan each scoring multiple goals in the narrow loss.
LAST TIME WE MET THE TIGERS
Saint Francis last faced Princeton on April 6, 2025, during the CWPA Championships, where the Red Flash fell 14-6. Saint Francis remained within reach in the first half before Princeton pulled away in the second, outscoring the Red Flash to build a lead. Saint Francis held the Tigers to one goal in the fourth quarter, but could not close the gap as Princeton secured the win.
Caylah Olay led the Red Flash with three goals in the matchup.
NEW TO THE LO'
Victoria Tamarit, a freshman from Valencia, Spain, brings international experience as a goalie.
Laura Knight, a freshman from Auckland, New Zealand, joins the team as a utility player with strong all-around skills.
Olivia George, a sophomore from Grand Blanc, Michigan, adds scoring depth and speed as an attacker.
Bella Castaneda, a sophomore from Brea, California, is a versatile utility player who can make an impact at multiple positions.
FLASH FOCUS
Caylah Olay continues to lead the Saint Francis record book, ranking first in career points (363), assists (103), and shots (593), while sitting second in goals (260) and exclusions drawn (228), and fourth in steals (89). The Red Flash also celebrated Senior Day with a 20-7 win over Washington & Jefferson, as all six seniors scored in the victory to highlight a strong all-around team performance.
FROM THE DECK
Jay O'Neil enters his ninth season as head coach at Saint Francis and is now five wins shy of 100 career victories with the Red Flash and one win shy of 200 overall. He guided the team to a program-record 14 wins in 2025 and recently earned two wins on the road. Under his leadership, Saint Francis has twice finished a program-best fifth in the postseason, in 2022 and 2024. A Bucknell graduate, O'Neil came to Loretto from Washington & Jefferson, where he earned CWPA Women's Coach of the Year honors in 2012, and also spent 10 years as aquatic director and head varsity swimming coach at Somerset Area High School.
NEXT SPLASH
The Red Flash continue CWPA conference play on March 21 in Princeton, N.J., taking on the University of Michigan and host Princeton University at DeNunzio Pool.
All games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
