Women's Water Polo Defeats No. 12 San Jose State; Leaves Aztec Invitational 3-1

Pictured Above: Junior utility Kimberly Watson who recorded two hat tricks on the day (photo credit: Jeremy Hawkes)

San Diego, CA – The Wagner women's water polo team went 1-1 on Day Two of the Aztec Invitational, returning to the East Coast 3-1 on the weekend. The Seahawks upset No. 12 San Jose State University 5-4 before suffering a hard fought 9-8 loss to No. 23 CSU Bakersfield.

Wagner 5 San Jose State University 4

The Green & White defeated its highest ranked opponent of the season, No. 12 San Jose State University, 5-4 behind four markers from junior utility Kimberly Watson (Pointe-Claire, Quebec / John Rennie).

The Seahawks outscored the Spartans 3-2 in the first eight minutes in the highest scoring quarter of the contest. Sophomore attack Erica Hardy (Montreal, Quebec / St. Thomas) found the net first, taking advantage of a power play opportunity and an assist from junior attack Elise Begg (Newbury, CA / Newbury). The remainder of the stanza was a back-and-forth affair between San Jose State and Watson who cashed in for two unassisted tallies.

San Jose goalkeeper Katelynn Thompson held Wagner scoreless in the second stanza as senior Donia Momen registered the lone goal for the Spartans to even the tilt 3-3 at intermission.

The third quarter was an even matchup as each team netted one goal. Freshman attack Jacqui Sjogren (Queensland, Australia / St. Andrews Anglican College) dished an assist to Watson with 5:35 on the clock to take a 4-3 lead. However, the Spartans evened the score 4-4 entering the final eight minutes of play.

Senior goalkeeper Emily Riddle (Edmonton, Alberta / Dr. E.P. Scarlett) held San Jose State scoreless in the final period, accumulating seven saves on the day. Watson buried the go-ahead goal with 1:37 remaining as the Green & White extended its winning streak to four, upsetting No. 12 San Jose State 5-4.

Wagner 8 CSU Bakersfield 9

California State University, Bakersfield ended Wagner's four-game winning streak, overcoming the Seahawks 9-8 in the weekend finale despite hat tricks from sophomore attack Erica Hardy and junior utility Kimberly Watson.

The Roadrunners were able to hold off the Green & White after taking an early 4-2 lead in the opening stanza. Bakersfield netted two consecutive goals before Watson rattled the cage off an assist from Hardy to put the Seahawks on the board. The All-MAAC Preseason Selection buried her second goal with 1:23 left in the quarter as Wagner found itself in an early two point deficit.

Senior goalkeeper Emily Riddle held the Roadrunners to one goal in the second quarter as Hardy and freshman center Millie Pullyblank (Victoria, Australia / Haileybury Girls College) each scored to close Bakersfield lead to 4-3.

The second half was an even matchup with each team notching two markers in each of the final two stanzas. After six minutes without scoring, Bakerfield's Cassandra Ream ended the deadlock with 1:56 remaining on the clock. Twelve seconds later, Watson completed her hat trick to keep the Seahawks within one. Both programs scored once more before the quarter's end as Wagner trailed 7-6 entering the final eight minutes.

Despite tallies from Hardy and Pullyblank in the final stanza, No. 23 CSU Bakersfield upset Wagner 9-8 as the Seahawks fell to 9-10 on the season.

The three-time defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Champions open up conference play Saturday, March 18 at 9:00 am against Marist College. Set to play in Villanova, PA, the Seahawks will then face Iona College at 5:30 pm.

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