CLAREMONT, Calif. – The No. 20 Wagner women's water polo team wrapped up a competitive weekend at the Claremont Convergence, facing two ranked opponents and finishing with two victories across four games at the Axelrood Pool and Haldeman Pool. The Seahawks opened the tournament against No. 7 LMU and No. 5 Arizona State before bouncing back with a 14–9 win over Pomona-Pitzer and closing the weekend with a thrilling 14–13 overtime victory against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
Game 1 Results – #20 Wagner 7, #7 LMU 14
LMU set the tone early, scoring five goals in the opening period to take a 5–3 lead. Wagner stayed within striking distance in the first quarter behind goals from junior
Catherine Mentz, junior Ana Arias Pérez, and senior
Martina Parisi, but the Lions' offense continued to apply pressure throughout the contest.
The Lions extended their lead in the second period, outscoring the Seahawks 5–1 to carry a 10–4 advantage into halftime. Wagner's lone goal in the quarter came from senior captain
Magali Ogg, while LMU capitalized on multiple scoring opportunities to extend the scoring gap.
LMU continued its momentum in the third quarter, adding four more goals while Wagner responded with three of its own. Freshman
Makayla Ulmer-Lutudromu, junior
Maylen Sampedro Tarela, and freshman
Lacey Aquaro each found the back of the net during the frame, but the Lions maintained control of the game heading into the final period.
In the fourth quarter, neither team was able to find the back of the net as LMU secured the 14–7 victory.
Goals: Mentz, Arias Pérez, Parisi, Ogg, Ulmer-Lutudromu, Sampedro Tarela, Aquaro
Game 2 Results – #20 Wagner 9, #5 Arizona State 23
Arizona State opened the contest with a strong offensive push and maintained control throughout the first half. Wagner found early scoring from junior
Maylen Sampedro Tarela, freshman
Lacey Aquaro and junior
Catherine Mentz, senior captain
Magali Ogg and junior Ana Arias Pérez but the Sun Devils capitalized on their opportunities to build separation as the game progressed.
The Sun Devils continued their momentum in the second quarter, extending their advantage while limiting Wagner's scoring chances. Despite several quality possessions from the Seahawks, Arizona State's efficient offense helped them carry a big lead 12-6 into halftime.
Wagner responded with more offensive contribution in the second half, highlighted by a pair of goals from freshman
Madison Watson at the beginning of the third period.
The Seahawks continued to battle offensively and generated several defensive stops while scoring two more goals during the final frame by senior
Martina Parisi, as well as sophomore Emma Friendlander in the last two seconds of the game. Arizona State was able to maintain its pace during the quarter to secure the 23–9 decision.
Goals: Aquaro (2), Sampedro Tarela, Ogg, Parisi, Arias Pérez, Watson, Friedlander, Mentz
Game 3 Results – #20 Wagner 14, Pomona-Pitzer 9
The Seahawks opened the contest with a strong first quarter, building a narrow 4–3 lead behind early scoring from junior Ana Arias Pérez, junior Alex Hlohovsky and
Catherine Mentz. Wagner tightened up defensively in the second period, holding Pomona-Pitzer scoreless while adding two goals to extend its advantage to 6–3 at halftime.
The third quarter proved decisive for the Seahawks. Wagner erupted for five goals in the frame, with junior Ana Arias Pérez,
Alex Hlohovsky Andrist, and
Catherine Mentz contributing to the surge as the Seahawks stretched two more goals.
Pomona-Pitzer pushed back in the fourth quarter, but Wagner maintained control of the contest, securing the 14–9 victory.
Goals: Sampedro Tarela (2), Ogg (2), Parisi (2), Hlohovsky Andrist (2), Arias Pérez (2), Mentz (2), Ulmer-Lutudromu, Bland
Game 4 Results – #20 Wagner 14, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 13 (OT)
The Seahawks and Athenas battled throughout a tightly contested matchup that featured multiple lead changes and strong offensive performances from both sides before Wagner ultimately secured the win in overtime.
Wagner opened the contest with a productive first quarter, jumping out to a close 2–1 lead behind early goals from junior
Maylen Sampedro Tarela and senior captain
Magali Ogg. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps responded in the second quarter, however the Green and White was able to outscore the Athenas 4–3 to trim the deficit and make it 6–4 at halftime.
The Athenas continued to push in the third quarter, narrowing the gap as both teams traded goals. Wagner maintained a slim edge heading into the final frame as freshman
Estel Ramon Torrent, Sampedro Tarela, freshman
Makayla Ulmer-Lutudromu and junior
Lily Carrick helped keep the Seahawks in good pace before the last quarter.
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps surged in the fourth quarter, scoring one more goal to force overtime and set up a dramatic finish. Wagner answered in the extra period when Carrick delivered the decisive power-play goal, giving the Seahawks the 14–13 overtime victory.
Goals: Sampedro Tarela (4), Ulmer Ulmer -Lutudromu (3),
Lacey Aquaro (2), Carrick (2),
Maggie Pike, Ogg, Ramon Torrent
Up Next: The Seahawks will return to the East Coast for their first conference matchup, traveling to face the LIU Sharks women's water polo on Wednesday, March 11. The contest is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Pratt Recreation Center in Brooklyn, New York.
