Wagner Advances to the Championship Game
MAAC Sports
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Top seeded Wagner College defeated fourth seeded Villanova University, 11-2 in the semifinal round of the 2016 MAAC Water Polo Championship advancing to its sixth consecutive championship final.
Wagner came out strong with a goal from Sophomore Utility Kimberly Watson, giving the Seahawks a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats quickly answered back with a goal of their own tying the game, 1-1. The Seahawks would score three more goals in the half with two coming from MAAC Offensive Player of the Year, Jess Lundgren, and take a 4-1 advantage into halftime.
The Seahawks opened the second half with back to back goals by Lundgren extending the lead to 6-1. Kimberly Watson would later add two more goals of her own, giving Wagner a seven goal advantage, at 8-1. Wagner would add three more goals in the contest and hold an 11-1 lead before Villanova added one more goal to give a final score of 11-2.
Wagner will play the winner of the third seed Iona Gaels and second seed Marist Red Foxes in the 2016 MAAC Water Polo Championship title at 2:00PM on Sunday May 1. Villanova will play the non-advancing team in the consolation game tomorrow at noon.
The Seahawks have the opportunity to win become the third team in MAAC history to win three consecutive MAAC Championship titles after Marist 2008-2010 and Iona 2011-2013.
The winner of the MAAC Water Polo Championship will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Water Polo Championship. The selection show will take place on Monday May 2.