Women's Water Polo Opens Season Against Bucknell
2/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
The Colonials enter their second season as a varsity sport looking to improve upon a solid inaugural campaign. George Washington was able to compete at a high level, notching a 11-13 record overall, 5-3 in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA). The Colonials finished in third place in the Mid Atlantic Championships, and 10th place in the Eastern Championships. The experience gained from last season should prove invaluable to head coach Scott Reed's team.
The 2001 season looks promising for Reed's squad, as they have lost only one starter from the 2000 season. Co-captains Heather Walenga and Maureen Hunter will lead a team that frustrated opponents last season with strong defense and multi-faceted offense. The Colonials will look to their veteran players to lead the them this year, depending on the excellent balanced attack spearheaded last season by senior Walenga (54 goals), sophomore Ashley Pyka (49 goals), and junior Nell Friar (49 goals).
The Colonials augment their roster with three experienced freshman, giving the team players that can contribute right away and add to overall depth. Freshmen Mia Fabian, Vanessa Fravel and Kira Canon make up the talented rookie class. In addition to the freshman, Reed expects junior transfer Lisa Greenfield from San Jose State, to challenge sophomore Deanna Fuller for the starting job as goalkeeper.
With the addition of talented newcomers to an already strong, experienced team, the Colonials will serve notice in the CWPA, fielding a squad that will give their opponents all they can handle with a balanced offense and suffocating defense.
George Washington will open their season with a home match against Bucknell at Charles E. Smith Center on Saturday at 7:00 pm.