The Ravens women’s water polo team won every one of their games Sept. 29 and 30 in a tournament hosted at Carleton’s pool.
The 25th annual Carleton Invitational Tournament included teams from the University of Toronto, Middlebury College, and the University of Ottawa.
The highlight of the weekend came when Carleton beat their rival, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. Fourth-year Sarah McIlveen and rookie Ceilidh Parsons were on point with four goals each, followed by a ninth goal from second-year Veronica Neuwirth.
The Blues beat Carleton in the finals of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships last year, a loss that was “devastating,” fourth-year goalie Evelyn Marshall said.
But the game showed that Carleton’s rookies know what it takes to win, Marshall said. The new players adapted well and everyone was encouraging, she said.
Parsons’ slew of goals was a pinnacle of the tournament, Marshall said.
“That was just a really nice moment for our team.”
Parsons was crowned the tournament’s top scorer.
Head coach Steve Baird said he was happy with the weekend’s result.
He said the team has been practicing since Sept. 1, and it paid off.
It was an exhibition tournament, giving the Ravens the chance to give their new players a lot of pool time, Baird said. Giving everyone a chance was a good strategy. Ten players scored during the tournament, Baird said.
But the weekend’s result doesn’t mean the Ravens can coast for the rest of the season. Baird said he doesn’t think the Blues brought all their players, and Carleton won’t get exhibition games against other teams like Western University before do-or-die league play begins.
Baird said the home-pool advantage played a part in the weekend’s win.
If so, the fact that the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships are at Carleton this year is bound to help the Ravens.
Marshall agreed. “It’s what we practice in every day so I think that was definitely an advantage,” she said. “It was less intimidating, especially for newer players.”
Both Marshall and Baird said they hope the Carleton community continues to support the team. Marshall said she was surprised by the crowd that turned out to the championship final last year.
Not many people have played water polo, said Baird, people don’t understand the rules like they do other, bigger sports. But with the recent Olympic spotlight and performances like this weekend’s, the team is making a strong case for more fans.
Baird said his plans for the rest of the season are to keep doing what’s necessary to put themselves in the gold-medal game. It’s up to his players to put themselves there, and bring home another banner for Carleton.
The championships take place at Carleton Nov. 23-25.
