Poughkeepsie, NY – The Wagner water polo team advances to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship game tomorrow after a competitive 5-4 victory over Marist.  Following an even score throughout the first half, Wagner was able to pull away in the third quarter and held on to the one point lead throughout the remainder of the match.

After earning the first possession of the game after senior Becca Hannings (Lansdale, PA / North Penn) won the opening swim off, Wagner went on to knock in the first points of the match as Chelsea Beck (Reading, PA / Wilson) capitalized on man-up opportunity following an exclusion drawn by Lauren French (Colmar, PA / North Penn). 

On the ensuing Marist possession, the Red Foxes tied the game at 1-1 as they found the back of the Seahawk net.  The Green & White had another 6 v 5 scenario late in the first period after French successfully drew another exclusion.  Unable to capitalize on the second extra-man opportunity, the score was set at 1-1 at the end of the first quarter.

The opening of the second stanza saw another first chance possession from Wagner as freshman Michelle Greenough (Davis, CA / Davis) gained control of the swim off.  With the Seahawks in a strong offensive mindset, freshman Rachel Burns (Greenelane, Auckland, New Zealand / Diocesan School for Girls) along with Beck stole two Red Fox possessions away as the duo each recorded a successful steal. Following the steal from Beck, Hannings found French open in front of the net as the senior co-captain sailed one into the Marist goal to put the Seahawks up 2-1. 

During the Marist counter-attack, junior goalkeeper Laura Karbach (Abington, PA / Germantown Academy) registered her first impressive save of the match keeping the Wagner one point lead safe.  Following a Marist timeout, the Red Foxes were successful in placing one past the Wagner defense to tie the game at 2-2 headed into halftime.

After the break, sophomore Stacy McGregor (Sinking Spring, PA / Wilson) put the Green & White in the lead on another man-up situation.

As Marist continued to attack, the Red Foxes drew a penalty resulting in a 5-meter penalty shot.  At the whistle, Karbach made an electrifying save to preserve the Wagner lead.

Following another Marist exclusion, Hannings increased the Wagner lead to two off of a feed from senior Molly Robinson (Lansdale, PA / North Penn).

The game continued in a competitive volley of possession until Beck was excluded on a penalty and Marist cut the deficit to one on the 6 v 5 opportunity, setting the score at 4-3.

The final eight minutes commenced with a swim off won by Greenough to give Wagner the first possession of the period.  Following a crisp pass from Burns to Hannings, Hannings sent the Seahawks up by two as the senior placed one between the pipes.

The Red Foxes, continuing on the offensive, drew a man-up opportunity in which Karbach registered another outstanding save to once again preserve the Seahawk lead.

Following a Greenough exclusion, the Red Foxes set the score at 5-4 as they capitalized on the man-up scenario.

With 1:16 remaining in the game, Wagner drew another exclusion and immediately called a timeout.  Playing one down for 20 seconds, the Red Foxes held off another Wagner goal but were unable to overtake the lone point lead as Wagner captured the victory.

Karbach amassed seven blocks and six steals in the win.

The Seahawks will face off against the Gaels of Iona in the championship game tomorrow (Sunday, April 29) at 2:00 PM.  The Gaels are undefeated against the Seahawks this season after they captured both regular season games 10-9 (4/1) and the 11-10 overtime victory in the regular season finale (4/15).  The game can be watched via live stream at http://www.maacsports.com/.