The Bison women’s water polo team split a pair of games this past weekend against Michigan and St. Francis (Pa.) at Kinney Natatorium in their final home game of the season. The Orange and Blue fell 15-6 against No. 7 Michigan in their first game of the day but were able to bounce back with an 11-8 win over the Red Flash of St. Francis (Pa). They improved to an overall record of 5-3 this season and will play two more CWPA games next weekend before the CWPA Championships.

The Bison fought hard and kept things close against Michigan at the beginning of their first contest on Sunday, but the Wolverines were able to gain momentum in the second half. After falling 0-1 in the first quarter, Kali Hyham ’21 tied things up for the Orange and Blue with her first goal of the day. Hyham found the back of the cage once more after Michigan scored two, bringing the Bison within one at the end of the first period. Michigan proved their strengths as a team in the next three periods, scoring four goals in each, giving them a 15-6 victory over the Bison. Hyham led the way for the Orange and Blue in game one with three goals, followed by Ally Furano ’21 and Paige Furano ’23 with one goal apiece. 

The Bison came back ready to fight in their second game of the day and senior night for Hyham, A. Furano and Marcela Herrera. The Orange and Blue used a six-goal second quarter to gain momentum and a big lead. Bella Moynihan ’23 contributed a goal early on to give the Bison a 2-1 edge in the first period. It was after Moynihan’s goal that the Bison turned it on and gained a commanding 8-2 lead over St. Francis (Pa.). P. Furano led the team with four goals, followed by Herrera and Megan LaCroix ’23 each adding two, and Moynihan, A. Furano and Hyham all added one goal apiece. It was a team effort for the Bison and marked the final home game for the three seniors. 

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to play one last time in Kinney with this team, our coaches, and especially with Marcela and Kali. It was a bittersweet day, we are so grateful for everything this program has given us and will miss working hard in the pool everyday and competing with one another,” A. Furano said.

The Bison will compete on the road against the Red Flash once more next weekend, in addition to Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Md. before the CWPA Championships.