CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Villanova water polo team split its two games at the Harvard Invite in Cambridge, Massachusetts Saturday. 

The 'Cats (8-6) began the day with a 19-7 loss to No. 13 Harvard (13-1).

In the contest, Sara Withers scored her 100th career goal, becoming the second Wildcat (Riley Hull) to reach the feat this season. 

Anna Painter and Annika Wise led VU with two goals each. Hull, Ella Mattocks and Withers rounded out the 'Cats scoring. 

Hull drew six exclusions and one penalty against the Crimson. 

Catharine McCann led the team with two field blocks, both coming in five versus six situations. 

Gracin Kerry started all four quarters in net for Villanova, saving three in 22 attempts. 

A tightly contested 4-4 first quarter led to Harvard pulling away in the second quarter and taking a 10-6 lead into halftime. 

The Crimson scored nine to the 'Cats one in the second half to close out the game. 

VU took on UC Merced (1-5) in its weekend closer, winning 18-4. 

Hull was part of 10 goals, scoring and assisting five. Annika Wise scored three in the contest, followed by Tippy Maguire, Painter, Rosie Woodman and Ella Mattocks with two. Tessa Pettit scored once. 

Isabel Foley had an impressive defensive performance, picking up four steals. She led an effort of 16 team steals, with Withers, Pettit and Woodman having two, then Maguire, Catharine McCann, Coco Jones, Anna Painter, Charlotte Summe and Abby Moffatt picking up one each. 

Reia Kimi started all four quarters in goal, saving 10 on 14 attempts. 

Villanova took an early lead, going ahead 4-1 in the first quarter. The 'Cats took an 8-3 lead into halftime. 

VU scored 10 in the second half and held the Golden Bobcats to just one goal. 

Up Next

Villanova heads west to take on CSUN and McKendree March 5 in Northridge, Calif. Before heading to the Convergence Tournament in Pomona, Calif. March 6-7, where they will face Chapman, Fresno Pacific, CUI and USC.