WASHINGTON - The Carthage women's water polo team traveled to Washington and Jefferson to compete in the CWPA Crossover Tournament, Friday and Saturday. The Firebirds went 3-1 on the weekend.
Game One
- Final score: Carthage 16 - Penn State Behrend 12
- Location: Washington, Pa.
Game Two
- Final score: Carthage 19 - Wheaton (Mass.) 5
- Location: Washington, Pa.
Game Three
- Final score: Carthage 15 - Connecticut 10
- Location: Washington, Pa.
Game Four
- Final score: Carthage 12 - Washington & Jefferson 14
- Location: Washington, Pa.
Game One
- The Firebirds opened the contest with strong offensive execution, tallying three first-quarter goals as Grace Steinberg, Kamille Graham, and Mak Werner each found the back of the cage. Behrend answered with three goals of their own, knotting the score at 3-3 heading into the second.
- Carthage took control in the second quarter, erupting for five goals while limiting Behrend to just one. Steinberg led the surge with a pair of goals, while Yamila Areizaga, Brenna Carstens, and Werner each added one, giving the Firebirds an 8-4 advantage at the half.
- The offensive rhythm continued into the third, as Steinberg, Sydney Barkley, Werner, and Aubrey Korzyniewski capitalized on possessions to extend the lead to 13-8.
- In the final frame, Barkley, Graham, and Morrigan Bushroe-Stumpf sealed the victory with three more goals, as the Firebirds secured a 16-12 win.
Game Two
- The Firebirds wasted no time setting the tone in game two, with Graham and Carstens striking early in the opening minutes. Carthage closed the quarter on a 3-0 run, building a commanding 5-1 lead behind efficient ball movement and strong perimeter shooting.
- Carthage's momentum carried into the second, as the Firebirds strung together five unanswered goals—including two from Carstens—to extend the lead to 10-1. Wheaton managed to break through with a pair of goals, but the Firebirds responded with three more, taking a 13-3 lead into halftime.
- Graham accounted for both Firebirds' goals in the third quarter, continuing to exploit defensive gaps and pushing the lead to 15-3.
- In the fourth, Graham opened the scoring once again before Wheaton added two late goals. Carthage answered with three final tallies to cap off a dominant 19-5 victory.
Game Three
- Carthage's defense set the tone early in game three, shutting out Connecticut in the opening quarter while Steinberg, Graham, and Bushroe-Stumpf each converted on offensive opportunities for a 3-0 lead.
- The Firebirds maintained their edge in the second, outscoring Connecticut 5-4. Steinberg, Areizaga, Carstens, and Werner all contributed to the scoring effort, giving Carthage an 8-4 advantage at the break.
- In the third, Areizaga, Graham, and Bushroe-Stumpf continued the offensive pressure, helping extend the lead to 12-7 heading into the final period.
- Steinberg, Carstens, and Kiera Crawley each added goals in the fourth quarter, as the Firebirds closed out a 15-10 victory.
Game Four
- Graham and Carstens led the Firebirds' attack in the opening quarter, but Washington & Jefferson capitalized on key possessions to take a narrow 4-3 lead.
- Carthage responded in the second with improved offensive execution, as Graham, Carstens, and Bushroe-Stumpf found the back of the cage to give the Firebirds a 7-5 halftime advantage.
- Both teams traded goals in a tightly contested third quarter, with Steinberg and Graham converting for Carthage as the game remained deadlocked heading into the final frame.
- In the fourth, Graham and Bushroe-Stumpf added crucial goals to keep the Firebirds within reach. However, Washington & Jefferson surged late with five goals in the period, pulling away to hand Carthage a 14-12 loss.
Game One
- Grace Steinberg paced the Firebirds' offense with a hat trick, leading the team in scoring. In the cage, Edie Hamilton anchored the defense, turning away two shots to help secure the win.
Game Two
- Kamille Graham led the offensive charge with four goals, showcasing efficient finishing and consistent pressure on the attack.
Game Three
Game Four
- Kamille Graham delivered a standout performance, netting a game-high five goals to lead all scorers and pace the Firebirds' attack.
The Firebirds are back in action at the CWPA Division III Championship, Friday, April 10. For more information, visit our
athletics.carthage.edu.
