MAAC Release
Poughkeepsie, NY - A fast start and a strong defensive second half helped the Wagner Water Polo team earn a spot in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship game after the Seahawks defeated Villanova, 16-6. First team All-MAAC selection
Jessica Burdge (Stockton, CA / St. Mary's) scored four goals and MAAC Defensive Player of the Year
Jess Lundgren (Queensland, Australia / Mountain Creek) added three more as Wagner earned their ninth consecutive victory.
The Green and White opened up the game with four straight goals in the first quarter. Senior
Stacy McGregor (Sinking Spring, PA / Wilson) netted the games first goal, followed by a score from Lundgren, one from Burdge, and another from Lundgren. Villanova answered with back-to-back scores, but Lundgren found Burdge at the end of the quarter to give Wagner a 5-2 lead.
The Seahawks added six goals in the second, which was started from
Megan Rodriguez (Danville, CA / San Ramon Valley) finding
Rachel Burns (Auckland, New Zealand / Diocesan) on a goal, with Burns finding Rodriguez on the games next possesion. Rodriguez scored all three of her goals in the second quarter, while Burns did the same with her two scores.
Trailing 11-5 at the half, Villanova pulled out their bag of tricks in the third quarter, but to no avail. The Seahawks held the Wildcats scoreless in the third quarter, while only alowing one Villanova goal in the fourth. Wagner scored five goals in the second half, leading to the 16-6 victory.
Freshman goalie
Emily Riddle (Edmonton, Alberta / Dr. E.P. Scarlett), who was awarded second team All-MAAC accolades last night, finished the game with seven saves.
With the win, Wagner earns a spot in the MAAC Championship game tomorrow at 2:00 pm. The Seahawks will face Marist, who topped Iona in the second semifinal game, 12-10. The Seahawks and the Red Foxes split this season, with Wagner winning the most recent contest on April 12th, 9-8, which was hosted at Wagner. Marist topped Wagner 13-12 on March 30th for the Seahawks only MAAC loss this season.
