PROVIDENCE, R.I – The No. 21 ranked Wagner College women's water polo team took part at the Harvard Invite this past weekend, earning two hard-fought victories over Bucknell and No. 20 Brown before falling in a narrow battle against No. 18 Marist.
Game 1 Results – #21 Wagner 16, Bucknell 10
In a fast-paced first quarter, Wagner's offense clicked in transition while the defense forced contested looks, allowing the Green & White to carry a lead into the second period.
In the second quarter, the Seahawks stretched their advantage with finishes from junior
Maylen Sampedro Tarela, senior
Magali Ogg, sophomore Emma Friendlander and freshman
Lacey Aquaro, helping Wagner maintain a multi-goal edge and entered halftime with a lead 10-5.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point, as Wagner's attack erupted for three more goals. Aquaro continued her strong performance, completing a hat trick, while senior
Martina Parisi, also found the back of the net.
Wagner carried that rhythm into the fourth quarter, adding the last goals from freshman
Makayla Ulmer-Lutudromu, junior
Catherine Mentz, and Sampedro Tarela to seal the decisive 16–10 victory.
Senior
Francesca Sena finished the game with a total of six defensive stops.
Goals: Sampedro Tarela (4), Aquaro (4), Parisi (3), Ogg (2),
Talia Ramsey, Ulmer-Lutudromu, Friendlander, Mentz
Game 2 Results – #21 Wagner 14, #20 Brown 13
The game opened in a tightly contested first quarter, with both teams exchanging goals and staying within striking distance. Wagner's offense came alive early, paced by contributions from freshman
Sarah Potter, junior
Alex Hlohovsky Andrist, junior
Maylen Sampedro Tarela and junior
Catherine Mentz helping keep the Seahawks level with the Bears through the opening minutes.
In the second quarter, Brown worked to build a slim halftime lead, but Wagner stayed within range thanks to goals from senior
Magali Ogg, freshman
Talia Ramsey and Sampedro Tarela who finished strong on transition opportunities. By the break, the Seahawks were able to stay ahead 8-5.
After halftime, Wagner kept the momentum with an energetic third quarter. A key sequence of goals from junior Ana Arias Perez, Sampedro Tarela, Mentz, and senior
Martina Parisi helped the Seahawks secure an 11–9 advantage entering the final period. Wagner's patient offensive sets and stout defensive stands kept Brown from gaining comfortable separation.
The fourth quarter delivered end-to-end excitement, with both teams trading goals in a back and forth battle. Brown pulled even midway through the period, but Wagner responded with timely finishes from Arias Perez and Ogg to regain the edge.
With just seconds remaining and the score tied at 13, both teams entered Over time and Ogg delivered the game-winning goal at the buzzer to lift the Seahawks to the 14–13 victory.
Goals: Sampedro Tarela (3), Ogg (3), Hlohovsky Andrist (2), Arias Perez (2), Mentz, Ramsey, Parisi, Potter
Game 3 Results – #21 Wagner 6, #18 Marist 7
The Seahawks struck three times in the opening frame, with goals from junior
Catherine Mentz, junior
Alex Hlohovsky Andrist, and senior
Magali Ogg helping Wagner take a 3–1 lead after eight minutes.
Marist responded in the second quarter, tightening up defensively and converting its opportunities to go on a three-goal run. Meanwhile, Wagner was unable to find the back of the net in the period, and the Red Foxes carried a 4–3 advantage into halftime.
In the third quarter, Wagner evened the score with a goal from Sampedro Tarela. Both defenses battled with intensity in the period, and the Seahawks pulled even with Marist heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter became a back-and-forth battle, with several lead changes and momentum swings. Wagner's attack was led by Ogg and Mentz, each finishing with one goal. However, Marist answered with timely possessions of their own, and the Red Foxes held on down the stretch to secure the one-goal win.
Goals: Ogg (2), Mentz (2), Hlohovsky Andrist, Sampedro Tarela
Next up, Wagner travels west for the Claremont Convergence in Claremont, Calif., on from Thursday, March 6 to Friday, March 7. The Seahawks open tournament play on Friday against LMU at 11:30 a.m. PT (2:30 p.m. ET) at Haldeman Pool, followed by a 5:45 p.m. PT (8:45 p.m. ET) matchup against Arizona State at Axelrood Pool.
On Saturday, Wagner returns to Haldeman Pool to face Pomona-Pitzer at 12:15 p.m. PT (3:15 p.m. ET) before closing the weekend against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps at 4:00 p.m. PT (7:00 p.m. ET) at Axelrood Pool.
