Berkeley, CA - The Wagner College women's water polo team took down the Biola Eagles in the Opening Round of the NCAA Water Polo Championships on Wednesday, May 8 at the Spieker Aquatics Center.
The Seahawks prevailed by a score of 15-14, thanks to a fast start on offense.
Wagner and Biola traded goals throughout the first quarter of play. All-MAAC First Team member junior Carlota Alonso scored the first goal of the game less than one minute after the opening ball-drop.
The Barcelona, Spain native would pour in three goals in the opening frame, extending her lead as the nation's top goal scorer.
Along with Alonso, senior Andrea Arias and sophomore Magali Ogg were responsible for Wagner's other two goals in the quarter. After the first quarter, the score was tied at five a piece.
The Green & White continued to apply the pressure scoring another five goals in the second quarter.
In the second, Arias led the charge scoring two goals, bringing her halftime total to three scores.
Alonso, freshman Maylen Sampedro Tarela, and senior Mar Navarro also found the back of the net during the frame. The Seahawks headed into halftime with a 10-8 advantage.
In the third quarter, Wagner outscored Biola, 3-2, to extend its lead to 13-10.
Alonso and Arias both scored in the third to bring their game totals to five and four, respectively.
Sampedro Tarela recorded her fourth multi-goal game during her first year with the Green & White, after scoring her second goal of the contest with 3:25 left in the frame.
In the fourth, Arias scored her fifth goal of the game while Navarro put away the eventual game-deciding goal with 2:37 for her second of the contest.
In the final period of play, Biola outscored Wagner by a score of 4-2. However, the Seahawks secured the Opening Round victory and advance to the First Round of the NCAA Water Polo Championships.
In net, First Team All-MAAC member sophomore Francesca Sena played the entirety of the game for Wagner, recording her 27th win of the season and the 57th win of her collegiate career.
Next up, Wagner will face-off against #1 UCLA in the First Round of the NCAA Water Polo Championships on Friday, May 10 at the Spieker Aquatics Center. Ball-drop for the First Round matchup is set for noon.
Goal Totals:
Magali Ogg - 1
Carlota Alonso - 5
Andrea Arias - 5
Mar Navarro - 2
Maylen Sampedro Tarela - 2
