Staten Island, NY – The Wagner women's water polo team collected two victories over Siena College and Virginia Military Institute (VMI) to celebrate Senior Day. After defeating the Saints 13-5, the No. 17 Green & White edged VMI 13-10 in an overtime matchup.
The afternoon triumph over the Keydets marks the Class of 2017's 100 career victory in the Seahawk uniform.
Wagner 13, VMI 10
The Seahawks narrowly defeated VMI 13-10 in overtime to extend its conference record to 12-0. Tied 8-8 at the end of regulation play, freshman attack Jacqui Sjogren (Queensland, Australia / St. Andrews Anglican College) netted the go-ahead goal for the Green & White in the first overtime period.
Junior utility Kimberly Watson (Pointe-Claire, Quebec) buried the first goal 20 seconds into the contest after winning the sprint. However, VMI's Shelby Barkley tallied back-to-back markers to give the Keydets a one goal lead. The two programs ended the first quarter tied at 3-3 before a defensive second stanza.
Both teams remained scoreless for the first five minutes of the second quarter before VMI's Cecilya Lundy ended the offensive drought to give VMI a 4-3 lead. Junior attack Elise Begg (Newbury Park, CA / Newbury Park) tied the contest once again for the Seahawks, taking advantage of a power play opportunity heading into halftime.
The Keydets outscored Wagner 3-2 in the third quarter before the Green & White outscored its opponent 2-1 in the final stanza. Sophomore attack Erica Hardy (Montreal, Quebec / St. Thomas) fired both strikes for the Seahawks, sending the defending three-time MAAC champions into overtime.
Tied 8-8 entering overtime, Hardy rattled the cage for her third consecutive goal to give Wagner its first lead since the opening stanza. Despite a quick counter by VMI, Sjogren netted the go-ahead goal on a man-up opportunity as the Seahawks led 10-9 in the first overtime period.
Wagner extended its lead in the final three minutes behind three tallies from Watson (2) and Pullyblank. With the victory, the Seahawks remain undefeated in conference play, extending its overall mark to 21-10. Meanwhile, the Keydets fall to 20-6 overall and 9-3 in the MAAC.
Wagner 13, Siena 5
The first three minutes of competition was a back-and-forth matchup until sophomore attack Erica Hardy and junior utility Kimberly Watson registered four consecutive goals to give Wagner a 6-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Reigning MAAC Defensive Player of the Week, Carly Jackson-Clark held the Green & White scoreless for five minutes in the second half until freshman center Millie Pullyblank scored Wagner's lone tally of the stanza.
Pullyblank and junior attack Elise Begg cashed in for two goals apiece in the third quarter to extend the Seahawks' lead 11-3.
Entering the final stanza on Senior Day, Watson collected her fourth sprint of the contest before following it up with her fifth marker. The junior standout amassed ten goals on the day, tallying five in each of today's games to bring her season total to 90.
The Seahawks return Wednesday, April 12 at 6:00 pm for a midweek matchup with crosstown rival, St. Francis Brooklyn.
