CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The Harvard University women's water polo team went over the double-digit mark in goals for the eighth time this season in nine games, as it opened Collegiate Water Polo Association Southern Division play with a 15-5 defeat of Brown University at home in Blodgett Pool.

After averaging 19.3 goals per game in its first six contests, the Crimson (7-2, 1-0 CWPA South) only got 7.5 per game in two losses Sunday and Monday. A total of eight different players found the back of the net for Harvard, led by junior co-captain Devan Kennifer who notched five goals, an assist and two steals.

The Crimson led 5-1 after the first period and outscored the Bears, 4-0, in hte second frame to take a 9-1 halftime lead. Brown matched Harvard goal for goal in the third with each team putting up three scores, but Harvard would tally three scores to the Bears' one in the fourth quarter to reach the final score.

Junior Laurel McCarthy made eight saves in goal for the Crimson while contributing two helpers and nabbing two takeaways. Freshmen Shayna Price and Riley Kessler, along with sophomore Elise Molnar, all scored two goals apiece while Molnar and Price had three steals each.

For Brown (1-4, 0-1 CWPA South), freshman Kate Woods led the Bears' offense with two goals, while senior Katherine Stanton knocked in two. Rookie goalkeeper Sarah Shin picked up nine saves in the cage to lead the defense.

Harvard and Brown will face off again Saturday in the first round of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship hosted by Bucknell University.

Release courtesy Harvard Athletic Communications