MADISON, N.J. - The Catholic University women's swimming & diving team opened its 2019-20 season with a tight win on the road Saturday afternoon over Drew, 145-142.
The Cardinals took second through fifth in the meet's last event, the 200-freestyle relay, to earn enough points to get by the Rangers 145-142 for a conference dual meet victory. Freshman Madeline Doucette and sophomore Megan Leibfreid were among the team's strongest competitors, along with some helpful points gathered in the diving events.
Drew opened the meet with a win in the 200-medley relay with a time of 1:58.83 while a Catholic foursome consisting of Leibfried, Doucette, senior Emily Tighe, and junior Caroline Beal followed for second at 1:54.89. The Cardinals racked up points on the relay events again, taking second through fifth.
The Rangers touched first in the meet's first three events, however, to keep the score close. Leibfried then earned the squad's first event victory with her 1:01.95 time in the 100-back.
Doucette earned her first career individual event win in the 100-breast with a time of 1:10.64. The Cardinals swept first through third as sophomore Cagney Boyle (1:14.36) and sophomore Aubrey McDonough (1:15.68) followed to earn points for the team.
Beal took second in the 50-free sprint with her time of 26.70, and then freshman Alexa Hipp won the 200-back with a 2:14.34 time. Beal again touched second at 2:15.59.
A second Catholic sweep came in the 200-breast as Boyle (2:41.19), junior Molly Donnellan (2:41.84), and junior Ally Noccioli (2:48.37) took first, second, and third.
Important points came in the diving events for the Cardinals as the team went one-two on the 1-meter board and then took first on the 3-meter. Junior Colleen O'Callaghan scored 137.18 on 1-meter and 146.55 at 3-meter, both good for first place, and junior Sophia Washington took second on 1-meter with a score of 93.60.
The Cardinals return home for its first action of the season at the DuFour Pool next Saturday, October 26 against Scranton. The meet is set to begin at 1 p.m.
