New Rochelle, NY – The Wagner water polo team improved to a 4-0 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) record following the first weekend of conference play.  After beating Marist (10-9), Siena (15-3) and St. Francis (N.Y.) (19-6), the Seahawks topped the wildcats of Villanova 13-4 in their final match of the weekend.

Leading the way 5-2 after the end of the first quarter, Wagner held Villanova to only one second half goal en route to the victory. 

Sophomore Ashton Cline (Carlisle, PA / Cumberland Valley) started the scoring for Wagner as the Keystone State native capitalized on a man-up opportunity caused by Lauren French (Colmar, PA / North Penn).  Four more Seahawks found the back of the net in the first period as Cline found senior Molly Robinson (Lansdale, PA / North Penn) open in front of the net to put the Seahawks up by two.

After an offensive attempt from Villanova, French gained possession and sailed a pass to fellow senior Becca Hannings (Lansdale, PA / North Penn) who sent one past the Wildcat defense and into the back of the net.

Following a Wildcat goal, Cline notched on her third assist of the game as she sent French a remarkable pass as the senior co-captain put it away to set the score at 4-1.

Allowing one more goal on the Villanova side of the scoreboard, Wagner answered back with a Chelsea Beck (Reading, PA / Wilson) goal off an assist from Hannings to set the score at 5-2 after the first eight minutes.

Holding the Wildcats to one lone goal in the second quarter, Wagner also added a point to the scoreboard as Beck capitalized on a 5m penalty to fashion the score at 6-3.

 Out of the huddle, Robinson hit back-to-back goals to send the Seahawks up by five.  After allowing one Villanova goal, Wagner improved their lead to 9-4 following another French goal on a man-up opportunity. 

As the final eight minutes commenced, Wagner's defense remained strong as they held the Wildcats scoreless and the offense continued to attack.

Following a Hannings exclusion, Robinson found Beck open in front of the net as the senior co-captain sailed one past the Wildcat goalkeeper.  Keeping the senior connection going, Beck fed a lead pass to fellow captain French who hit her third goal of the game. 

After a Villanova offensive attack and a save from junior Laura Karbach (Abington, PA / Germantown Academy), Karbach sent a long pass to Robinson who increased the Wagner lead once again as she knocked in the twelfth  Seahawk goal. 

Following an exclusion drawn by Karbach, Hannings teamed up with Beck for the second time as the senior duo created a play that resulted in Beck's fourth goal of the game and sealed the 13-4 victory for the Seahawks.

Karbach recorded nine blocks and one assist in the win.

The Seahawks return to MAAC play on March 31 when they take on conference newcomer Virginia Military Institute at 1:00 PM.