The GW women’s water polo team celebrated its Senior Day on Sunday, honoring five departing seniors before the Colonials’ final home game of the season against Princeton. And while the final score, a 9-7 GW loss, might not have been the result the Colonials were looking for, there was much on Sunday that the team’s departing seniors could be proud of.

After falling behind 7-2 after the first half, the Colonials came roaring back after halftime, outscoring the Tigers 5-2 in the second half to pull themselves back into the game. Unwilling to let her final game at the Smith Center come to such an unceremonious end, senior Marissa Stamler scored three of her team-leading four goals in the second half.

Even with Senior Day festivities in full swing, Stamler said that she and her teammates did not struggle much with the senior day distractions, although once the game was over the game’s meaning became more apparent to her.

“We maintained focus in the end,” Stamler said. “I do not believe that I am already a senior.I have seen this program improve significantly over the years.”

GW head coach Scott Reed said that playing its final game at the Smith Center this season gave his team extra motivation in its second-half push.

“This is our pool,” Reed said. “We aren’t going to back down.”

“We created every opportunity possible,” Reed added. “This is a passionate group of girls.”

Reed also attributed much of the Colonials’ play to Stamler, who also ranks in the top five all time for GW in assists.

“She is the most dependable player out there and is the rock we can depend on,” Reed said. “She is a fantastic defender.I keep her in for the whole game.”

The loss locks GW into the fourth seed in next weekend’s College Water Polo Association Southern Division Championship in Princeton, N.J., where it will face top-seeded Bucknell this Saturday at 4 p.m. Reed said he was optimistic about his team’s chances.

“We feel good, and are extremely confident,” Reed said. “We just need to fix a few mistakes.”