Poughkeepsie, NY (Apr. 25, 2025) – The 2025 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Water Polo Championship first round concluded with two No. 3 seeded teams upsetting two No. 2 teams to advance to the semifinal round. Villanova University pushed past Iona 9-6 and The Mount pushed past LIU 11-13. Mount St. Mary’s takes on No. 1 (RED) Wagner College tomorrow in the semifinals at 12pm and Villanova takes on No. 1 (BLUE) Marist University at 3pm.
No. 2 Iona (12-15, 6-5 MAAC) vs. No. 3 Villanova (21-11, 7-5 MAAC)
McCann Natatorium | Poughkeepsie, NY | 12:00 PM | Box Score
In the MAAC Championship first round match-up at McCann Natatorium, No. 3 Villanova took down No. 2 Iona 9-6 with a strong all-around performance.
The Wildcats jumped out early, scoring three in the first period and never looked back. Ella Mattocks, Riley Hull, and Anna Painter each played key roles, combining for five goals. Villanova held a 6-3 lead at the half, thanks to steady scoring and a tough defense that kept Iona chasing.
Hull added two more in the third, and despite late goals from Sadie Sallas and Remy Ickes, the Gaels couldn’t close the gap. Painter’s second goal sealed the win and sent Villanova to the semifinals, where they will take on top seeded Marist University.
Iona’s Sadie Sallas led the Gaels offensive effort, netting two goals on the day. Remy Icke, Olivia Weissman, Lola Trujillo, and Addison Collins all contributed a goal as well. In goal Lilly Morris tallied eight saves.
No. 2 LIU (18-12, 9-3 MAAC) vs. No. 3 Mount St. Mary’s (17-14, 4-7 MAAC)
McCann Natatorium | Poughkeepsie, NY | 3:00 PM | Box Score
Game two of the day saw a tight MAAC Championship first round match-up where 3rd-seeded Mount St. Mary’s edged out 2nd-seeded LIU 13-11, rallying from an early deficit.
Anita Radaelli led the Mountaineers with four goals, helping erase a 5-1 first-quarter hole. The Mount stormed back with a second-quarter shutout and steady scoring across the final three frames. Maria Boix Pascual added a hat trick, while Beatrice Viera and Anna Kegel chipped in two goals apiece. Goalie Olivia Fernie’s nine saves anchored the defense.
LIU’s Sydney deVroedt scored four times and Elena Camarena had three, but the Sharks couldn’t recover after MSM took control in the second half. In goal, Martina Giannon notched nine saves on the day.
Mount St. Mary’s advances and takes on Wagner in the semifinals, riding the momentum of a gritty comeback and balanced team effort.
The 2025 MAAC Water Polo Championship will take place April 25-27, 2025. The six-team, single-elimination championship will be hosted by Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. Marist has hosted the Water Polo Championship annually since 2003. For all information regarding the 2025 MAAC Water Polo Championship, please visit
maacsports.com/wp.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 13 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 44th year of competition during the 2024-25 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius University, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan University, Marist , Merrimack College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.
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