Poughkeepsie, NY – Wagner College Water Polo clinched a share of the 2009 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Regular Season Championship on Sunday with wins over the St. Francis (NY) Terriers, 9-7, and the Siena College Saints, 9-6. The Seahawks, who sport a 16-11 overall record, ended the regular season with six wins in their last seven MAAC contests to finish with an 8-2 conference record and in a first place tie with Iona College in the conference standings. The regular season title is Wagner's fourth in program history and first since 2006.

Defense was key for the Seahawks, who completed a perfect 4-0 weekend while holding each conference opponent under seven goals. Junior goalie Kelsey Rodgers (Anaheim Hills, CA/Fullerton JC) was solid in net for Wagner. She played in 14 of 16 quarters and registered an amazing 55 saves this weekend.

GAME ONE: WAGNER vs. ST. FRANCIS (NY)

An early score from senior Nicole Maichrowicz (Temple City, CA/Temple City) cut Wagner's first period deficit to 2-1. The Seahawks' offense took control from there, scoring four unanswered goals to take a comfortable lead at halftime, 5-2. Freshman Lauren French (Colmar, PA/North Penn) started the streak with her 24th tally of the season. Maichrowicz added her second marker of the game, followed by back-to-back scores from freshmen Sara Olguin (Whittier, CA/Sonora) and Chelsea Beck (Reading, PA/Wilson).

The Terriers rallied for four goals in the third period, but the Seahawks stayed close with two markers from senior Alex Tomlinson (Telford, PA/Souderton) and a late score from sophomore Carina Giles (Mohton, PA/Mifflin).

In the fourth quarter Wagner's defense shut down the Terriers offense, which scored four times in the third period to pull with two goals, 8-6. Tomlinson provided the final blow with her second goal to put the Seahawks up, 9-6. A last second desperation heave by St. Francis (NY) broke the Terriers' scoreless quarter but it was too late as the Seahawks won, 9-7.

Rodgers was outstanding in net, denying 18 shots for her third straight victory.

GAME TWO: WAGNER vs. SIENA

Olguin put the Seahawks on the board first with a 2M goal minutes into the first period. In the second quarter sophomore Natalie Pyrz (Harleysville, PA/Souderton) matched Olguin's goal with one of her own to make the halftime score, 2-2. The goal was Pyrz's 21st of the season, while Olguin'a early tally was her 31st.

The Seahawks' speed team took over in the third quarter, outscoring the Saints 4-1 to open up a 6-3 lead. Giles got the ball rolling with her 13th goal of the season, followed by markers from Beck, Tomlinson, and the eventual game winner from Pyrz.

The two teams traded scores in the final frame, 3-3. Olguin helped Wagner's offense with her second goal of the game. Sophomore Laura vanderBent (Shillington, PA/Mifflin) was next with her eighth goal of the season, followed by a late, game-sealing goal by French.

Rodgers made 10 saves in Wagner's 9-6 win.

The Seahawks will take part in the MAAC Championship Tournament next weekend at Poughkeepsie, NY. Seedings and game times will be available later this week.