POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The No. 3 Wagner College women's water polo team captured its third straight and 13th overall Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship, defeating No. 1 Marist, 14–13, in triple overtime inside McCann Natatorium.
The title marks the Seahawks' first three-peat since their historic six-year championship run from 2014 to 2019. During that stretch, Wagner defeated Marist in each title game and has now topped the Red Foxes in each of the last three MAAC Championship contests.
Marist struck first on a penalty shot and controlled the early momentum, jumping out to a 3–1 lead at the end of the first quarter. Senior captain Magali Ogg, an All-MAAC First Team selection, scored Wagner's opening goal.
Wagner responded in the second period, as Ogg found junior center Catherine Mentz for a power-play goal just :23 seconds into the frame. Marist answered with a goal of its own, but junior attacker Maylen Sampedro Tarela found the cage to cut the deficit to one, 4–3. Each team added another power-play goal down the stretch, as Marist held a slim 5–4 lead at halftime.
The Red Foxes opened the second half with two straight goals to extend their lead to three, while Wagner answered with a pair of goals to stay within striking distance. With 3:16 left in the third quarter, Marist scored, and senior Martina Parisi responded less than a minute later. Marist closed the frame with a penalty shot to take a 9–7 lead into the fourth.
Trailing entering the final quarter, Wagner delivered when it mattered most, scoring four goals in the period. Sampedro Tarela capitalized on a penalty shot before Ogg tied the game at nine with 6:32 remaining. Marist regained the lead, and after more than three scoreless minutes, Ogg found the equalizer once again. The Red Foxes capitalized on a man-up opportunity to take an 11–10 lead with :57 remaining, and freshman Estel Ramon Torrent, off a feed from Mentz, scored to tie the game at 11 and force overtime.
In the first overtime, both defenses came up with key stops before Wagner broke through, as junior Ana Arias Pérez scored off an assist from Ogg. Marist answered on its ensuing possession, sending the game to double overtime.
Marist struck first in the second extra period, while Wagner remained composed. With :17 seconds remaining, Parisi connected with junior Maggie Pike to even the score and force a third sudden-death overtime.
After two crucial saves from senior goalkeeper Francesca Sena, Parisi found Mentz for the golden goal, lifting the Seahawks to a 14–13 victory.
Sena anchored the defense, playing all 39:55 in goal while making eight saves, including several key stops late to keep Wagner within reach and set up the overtime win.
Following the game, Ogg was named MAAC Championship MVP, while Sampedro Tarela and Mentz were also selected to the MAAC All-Championship Team for their standout performances throughout the tournament.
With the win, Wagner secures the MAAC Championship and earns the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Seahawks will learn their matchup during the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, April 13 at 8 p.m. ET on NCAA.com.
This year's NCAA Tournament will take place in La Jolla, Calif., hosted by UC San Diego. The opening round is set for Wednesday, April 22, with the championship game scheduled for Sunday, April 26.
Last season, Wagner defeated McKendree in the opening round before falling to eventual national champion Stanford.
Goals: Ogg (3), Ramon Torrent (3), Mentz (3), Sampedro Tarela (2),
Maggie Pike,
Martina Parisi, Arias Pérez
Saves: Sena (8)
