Women’s Water Polo | 2/27/2026 11:00:00 AM


Story Links

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Red Flash return to action on Feb. 28 with a pair of CWPA matchups in Erie, Pa., taking on Grove City College and Gannon University.

THE WORD ON GROVE CITY

Grove City enters the weekend with an 0-6 record after dropping a pair of games on Feb. 22 at Washington & Jefferson College. The Wolverines fell 18-17 in triple overtime in the opener before dropping a 26-14 decision to Gannon University in the nightcap. Sophomore Frances Baksa scored goals in both matches, including a six-goal performance against Washington & Jefferson, while Shastyn Tihansky and Kiley Sill also added goals in each matchup.

LAST TIME WE MET THE WOLVERINES
Saint Francis and Grove City College last met during the 2017 season- nearly nine years ago- when the Red Flash picked up a 14-5 victory at the Mercyhurst Invite, controlling the game with balanced scoring and a strong defensive showing. This weekend’s matchup features completely new rosters, with none of the players from that game still in the pool.



THE WORD ON GANNON
Gannon enters the weekend with a 2-4 record after earning a pair of wins in a doubleheader on Feb. 22 in Washington, Pa. The Golden Knights opened the day with a 21-11 victory over Penn State Behrend before defeating Grove City College, 26-14, in the nightcap. Gannon’s offense was led by Kerstyn Farley and Maria Martinez, who scored four goals each in the opener, while Martinez added six goals in the second game.

LAST TIME WE MET THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Saint Francis last faced Gannon University in February 2025, earning a 15-4 victory. After holding a 4-3 lead, the Red Flash pulled away with 11 unanswered goals to take control of the game. Saint Francis continued to build the lead in the fourth quarter, closing out the win with three straight goals. Caylah Olay scored three goals, while Megan Marlin added two.

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 broke the Saint Francis career points record this past weekend, becoming the program’s all-time leader with 342 points. She also ranks first in career goals (243) and second in career shots (569), continuing to build her place in the Red Flash record book. Over the weekend, Victoria Tamarit anchored the defense in goal, recording 27 saves and 10 steals across three games.

FROM THE DECK

Jay O’Neil enters his ninth season as head coach at Saint Francis and is now eight wins shy of 100 career victories with the Red Flash and four wins 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

Saint Francis returns to the pool on Feb. 28 for a pair of CWPA contests against Grove City College and Gannon University in Erie, PA.

All games will be streamed live on NECFrontRow.