SHELTON, Conn.—The Sacred Heart University women's rowing team swept the varsity events en route to winning its annual home regatta, the Heart of the Housatonic, for the first time in program history. 

Sacred Heart wrapped up the fall portion of its season by hosting Fairfield, UConn, Holy Cross, Fordham, Marist, Monmouth, and Bryant in the Heart of the Housatonic on Saturday afternoon. 

With four boats in the Varsity 8 races, the Pios had three 10-top finishes, as the 1V8 took first place with a time of 17:30, the 3V8 was seventh at 18:19, and the 2V8 was 10th overall at 18:30. The 4V8 finished 15th overall at 19:15.
 
SHU continued to dominate in the Varsity 4 race, claiming three of the top five spots. The 1V4 finished first overall at 18:28, 12 seconds ahead of the second-place boat. The Pioneers claimed the fourth (2V4) and fifth (5V4) places at 19:00 and 19:02, respectively. SHU had another set of back-to-back finishes as the 3V4 was 13th at 20:05, and the 4V4 was 14th at 20:25. 

The Pioneers novice squad had success in the N8 race, finishing third overall at 21:32. In the N4 race, Sacred Heart claimed the fourth spot at 22:32. 

"This was a big day for us," said Head Coach Lucas Wilhelm. "We have talked all week about pushing for the name on the front of your shirt. No matter which boat you race, no matter where you sit, the job is the same- Represent Sacred Heart University and every one of the women in our program with everything you have to give."
 
"We racked up big wins on our home water, which turned out to be the first head races our school has ever won as far as we can tell," continued Wilhelm.  "This was against a bunch of teams we love to race and will continue to see through the spring, so it helps us set our goals as we plunge back into training."
 
"Well rowed, Heart. The job isn't over"