POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (Apr. 12, 2026) – The 2026 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Water Polo Championship concluded Sunday afternoon in Poughkeepsie, NY as No. 3 Wagner defeated No. 1 Marist 14-13 in sudden victory to win its third straight MAAC Championship title.
No. 3 Wagner – 14 | No. 1 Marist 13 OT
McCann Natatorium | Poughkeepsie, NY
Box Score
No. 3 Wagner (13-12, 6-2 MAAC) defeated No. 1 Marist (24-5, 8-0 MAAC) to secure the 2026 MAAC Water Polo Championship by way of sudden victory following two overtime periods. Marist came out strong from the opening sprint, taking control early with a 3-1 first quarter. All-Championship Team member Kendell DeBeer opened the scoring on a penalty shot, while Championship MVP Magali Ogg added a goal of her own. DeBeer struck again late in the quarter to give the Red Foxes the early momentum.
The second and third quarters turned into a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading goals. Marist maintained a slight edge throughout the middle frames, heading into the fourth quarter with a 9-7 lead. The Seahawks took control in the fourth quarter, stringing together key goals while tightening up defensively to even the score at 11-11 and force overtime.
Overtime mirrored regulation, with both teams exchanging goals in each period to remain deadlocked after double overtime. Each side generated quality chances, but clutch saves from both goalkeepers kept the match level and pushed the contest into sudden death. Off an assist from Martina Parisi, All-Championship Team selection Catherine Mentz found the back of the net to seal the championship for the Seahawks.
Wagner Notes and Notables
- Ogg, Estel Ramon Torrent, and Mentz, each recorded hat tricks, scoring three goals apiece
- Ogg finished with a standout performance, totaling three goals, three assists, and eight shots on goal, earning Championship MVP honors
- Four members contributed to the games seven steals, Maggie Pike (1), Makayla Ulmer-Lutudromu (2), Ana Arias Pérez (3), and Mentz (2)
- The Seahawks recorded 33 shots on goal
- This is Wagners 13th championship title win, the most in conference history
- Wagner holds a 10-1 advantage over Marist in MAAC Championship matchups
Marist Notes and Notables
- Marist had a 44.8% shooting percentage
- The Red Foxes recorded 17 exclusions to the Seahawks 21
- Kendell DeBeer went 2-for-2 on penalty shots for Marist
- Jolanta Szentpali led the team with five assists
- Inés Sánchez had a .417 save percentage compared to Francesca Sena’s .381
- Marist went 8-for-21 on power play opportunities
Wagner earns the MAAC automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. The Seahawks will find out their opponent during the Division I NCAA Water Polo Selection Show on Monday, Apr. 13 at 8:00 PM. The selection show can be streamed live on
NCAA.com
| 2026 Water Polo All-Championship Team |
| Ella Mattocks |
Villanova University |
| Lily Kirby |
La Salle University |
| Inés Sánchez |
Marist University |
| Kendell De Beer |
Marist University |
| Maylen Sampedro Tarela |
Wagner College |
| Catherine Mentz |
Wagner College |
| Magali Ogg (MVP) |
Wagner College |
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 45th year of competition during the 2025-26 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius University, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan University, Marist University, Merrimack College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena University.
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