The Marist Red Foxes continued their balanced offensive and defensive attack this weekend in Claremont, California at the Convergence Tournament. They won their first three games and fell to the number one team in the country, USC for their final game on Saturday.
The tournament opened on Friday, Feb. 28 with the Red Foxes having two games against west coast opponents, Concordia University Irvine and Chapman University.
In Marist’s first game of the tournament, senior utility Victoria Padilla got the matchup started for the Red Foxes with a goal at the six minute mark.
Marist went on a three goal run with goals followed by senior captain Ella Baumgarten and junior utility Paige Naegle. With the Red Foxes up 3-0, the Eagles pushed their way back into the game going on their own three goal run equalizing the score.
With 16 seconds left in the first Baumgarten found the back of the net, leading the score 4-3.
In the second the Red Foxes ramped up their offensive attack, pulling away in the second period.
Marist recorded five goals in the second, and outscored Concordia for the rest of the matchup.
Baumgarten recorded five goals in the 15-10 win over the Golden Eagles. Padilla recorded a hat trick and senior attack Rachel Dean led the team with four assists.
Three different goals stepped foot in the pool for the Red Foxes during their matchup; tallying eight total saves.
Marist continued their offensive domination in the second game of the day against Chapman.
Despite the Panthers attacking first, Marist answered immediately, scoring five consecutive goals. Two goals both coming from Naegle. Dean, alongside Padilla, would go on to finish the game with a hat trick.
The Red Foxes proved to be a top 20 team, with their coordination on defense and offensive counter attacks.
Junior goalie Ines Sanchez led the Red Foxes to a 15-11 victory over the Panthers with six saves.
Dean proved to be a force in Marist’s third win of the weekend on Saturday. Leading the team with five goals against Santa Clara University.
The win against Santa Clara was the sixth win of the Red Foxes last seven games, Improving Marist’s record to 9-5 overall.
The Red Foxes last matchup of the Convergence was against the number one team in the nation, the University of Southern California.
The Trojan’s started the game with dominance, scoring early first period goals. Outsourcing Marist 4-2 in the first period.
USC pulled ahead in the second period ramping up their offensive attack with seven goals. The trojans attack was led by sophomore attack Ava Stryker and graduate student center Tilly Kearns. The two combined for six goals, securing a hat trick each.
At halftime the Red Foxes trailed 11-4. The team would make a big push in the fourth after a one goal third period but it would not be enough.
USC ended the game with 41 shots, compared to Marist’s 25. Sanchez had yet another impressive game against the number one team in the country with 11 saves.
The Red Foxes will play again next weekend in Providence, Rhode Island, at the Bruno Classic, where they will face off against fellow MAAC opponents, Wagner, LIU and La Salle University. The teams first game will be on March 8 against Brown University at 3pm.
Edited By: Hayden Shapiro
Graphic Credit: Cara Lacey
Photo Credit: Marist Athletics
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