Villanova, PA – The Wagner College Water Polo team (11-15, 1-0 MAAC) claimed their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win over the Villanova University Wildcats, 8-2. Juniors Natalie Pyrz (Harleysville, PA/Souderton Area) and Laura Vanderbent (Shillington, PA/North Penn) each had two goals, while senior goalie Kelsey Rodgers (Anaheim Hills, CA/Canyon/Fullerton JC) registered 12 saves in the win.

The Seahawks held the Wildcats scoreless for two periods as the offensive scored twice in the first quarter and once in the second quarter to take a 3-0 half time lead. Villanova scored twice in the third frame, but Wagner tacked on five goals in the second half for the 8-2 final.

Pyrz and Vanderbent tied for the Seahawks' lead with two goals apiece. Pyrz has scored in four of the last five games – tallying 10 of her 27 goals this season during that run. Vanderbent continues to lead the squad in goals scored. Her two goals puts her season-best total at 38 markers.

Also scoring for the Seahawks were junior Carina Giles (Mohton, PA/Governor Mifflin), sophomore Chelsea Beck (Reading, PA/Wilson), sophomore Lauren French (Shillington, PA/North Penn), and freshman Leslie Poole (Downey, CA/Warren). The game marked the seventh straight game in which Beck has scored. She is second on the team with 34 goals.

Rodgers registered 12 saves for her seventh straight game with double-digit stops. She is one game away from matching her career-best eight straight games with 10 or more saves.

The Seahawks finished the day four for nine on extra man-opportunities. Vanderbent led the squad with four ejections drawn. Giles finished with two ejections, while French, freshman Katie Jordan (Westlake Village, CA/Agoura) and sophomore Becca Hannings (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) each had one ejection.

Wagner faces off against Conference rival Marist College at 3:00 PM.