Water Polo Downed by Marist in MAAC Semifinal

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – In their first appearance in the MAAC Water Polo Semifinal since 2005, Villanova was outlasted by the host institution, Marist University, by a score of 9-5.

Anna Painter scored two goals in the contest, totaling four goals across the tournament.

Marist struck twice to start the game, with Riley Hull answering back with 5:20 remaining in the first to start the scoring for VU.

Adrienne Grimes scored to knot things up four minutes later, tallying her second goal in as many days while tying her career high for goals in a season with 13.

Kendell De Beer and Lela McCarroll of the Red Foxes cashed in on four of the next five goals in the match, with Layla Canales adding one with 1:21 left in the first half, to enter intermission with Marist leading 6-4.

The home team scored quickly to open the third stanza, with Painter answering two minutes later.

That goal would be the final one that the Wildcats would score in the event, as Inés Sánchez and the Marist defense held VU scoreless for the final 11:02.

Rachel Stephens stopped 11 shots in net for the second game in a row. The freshman made 22 saves while only allowing 15 goals during the tournament, good for a .594% save percentage across the two games.

Ella Mattocks drew five exclusions and had a career-high two assists.

SENIORS

Amelia Baca, Emma Grabenstetter, Adrienne Grimes, and Emily McKenzie end their careers as the winningest players in program history, being part of 75 wins over their four years with the program.

McKenzie finishes her career 10th in program history in goals, with 181.

LOOKING AHEAD

Head coach Michael Gordon has inked four signees over the season, one at each attacker, center, utility, and goalie.