Villanova Water Polo Faces Tough Loss in MAAC Opener
In an exciting start to their MAAC season, Villanova’s water polo team narrowly lost to Mount St. Mary’s, finishing the match 10-9. The game showcased standout performances, particularly from Riley Hull, who tied her career high with five goals. Unfortunately, the Wildcats couldn’t shake off the Mountaineers’ constant pressure.
The match began with both teams exchanging goals, ending the first quarter tied at 2-2. Anna Kegel scored quickly for Mount St. Mary’s, while Hull and Layla Canales secured goals for Villanova. In the second quarter, Hull shone again, scoring two more to complete her hat trick. However, the Wildcats couldn’t add more, and the Mountaineers surged to a 6-4 halftime lead.
The second half picked up the pace. Ella Mattocks scored twice for Villanova in just the first 1:35, tying the game at six. From there, it became a tense defensive battle, with each team answering the other’s goals, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Adrienne Grimes managed to tie the game again late in the third quarter, but the Mountaineers quickly counterattacked to restore their lead.
In the final quarter, Hull netted her fourth and fifth goals, tying the game at 9-9. Sadly, with just 1:27 remaining, Anita Radaelli scored the decisive goal for Mount St. Mary’s, clinching the win.
Notably, junior Sara Withers reached a career milestone during the game, recording her 100th assist. This achievement makes her the seventh player in program history to reach this mark.
Looking ahead, Villanova has a busy weekend. They will take on Siena at 8:00 AM and then face host team VMI at 2:00 PM. Fans can catch all the action streamed on ESPN+.
As water polo continues to grow in popularity, it’s worth noting that the NCAA recently reported a 5% increase in participation in women’s water polo at the collegiate level. This reflects a positive trend and increased interest in the sport.
For updates, you can follow Villanova Water Polo on Instagram @novawaterpolo and on X, formerly Twitter, @nova_waterpolo.
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