The Marist Red Foxes traveled to Lexington, Virginia this week to participate in the VMI – MAAC showcase. The team will play five games over the course of five days.
Marist opened play with ranked Wagner. The Seahawks currently hold the 15 spot on the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Poll, jumping seven spots in one week. While the Red Foxes currently stand at 21 in the ACWPC poll.
These two teams have been the top two teams for the past few years in the MAAC conference, with Wagner winning eight of the last ten MAAC championships. Having a six-year-run from 2016-2019. Marist broke that streak winning the championship in 2021. (The 2020 season was canceled due to COVID).
Marist opened up this year’s matchup at VMI with sophomore attacker Kendal DeBeer winning the opening sprint.
The first period proved to be extremely physical, with both teams causing constant turnovers. Both defenses stood strong at their respective ends of the pool.
The matchup included both MAACpreason co-goalies of the year; junior Ines Sanchez for the Red Foxes and junior Francesca Sena for the Seahawks. Sanchez finished the game with eight saves, while Sena finished with six for Wagner.
The Seahawks struck first at the 6:28 mark from senior attacker Carlota Alonso. The two time MAAC offensive player of the week, and MAAC preseason player of the year ended the game with two goals.
Marist continued to work their way around inside the five-meter on offense, taking shots that just could not find their way past Sena.
Naegle recorded three shots in the first, with her second shot sneaking behind Sena at the 2:36 mark.
The theme of the first quarter and the rest of the game was the constant turnovers by both teams. In both halves there were nine turnovers.
Despite Marist having more power plays in the first half, the Red Foxes were unable to transition and set up on offense to get off quick powerful shots.
With a minute left in the first, junior attack Magali Ogg took a blind shot while being pushed under the water outside the five meter line. The shot found the top of the back of the net at 1:05.
Wagner took over in the second, with more energy and taking quick strikes at Sanchez, ultimately forcing more turnovers on defense.
The Seahawks won the initial sprint for possession, leading to a two goal run.
The first goal came at the 6:26 mark from Alonso, followed by a five meter shot from sophomore Maylen Sampedro.
Three minutes later, Marist went on a two goal run of their own with sophomore Alyssa Mullane recording her first goal of the season, sneaking one right over Sena’s shoulder. This was followed by a goal from sophomore utility Samantha Bentley less than a minute later.
Wagner would end the quarter with two more goals, leading at the half. The Seahawks accumulated a shooting percentage of .345%. While the Red Foxes were unable to find an offensive rhythm.
The Red Foxes’ defense improved heading into the fourth. Playing tight on the Seahawks at the top of the five meter forcing Wagner to make passes.
Sophomore attack Kendall DeBeer was working hard on defense with forced turnovers in the middle of the pool.
On a quick Wagner transition Arias got a shot off and DeBeer stepped in the net to help Sanchez make the save. Allowing head coach Chris Vidale to call the final timeout of the third quarter.
With nine seconds left in the third quarter coming out of the timeout senior utility Victoria Padilla ends the third with a floater shot that hits the top cross bar.
Marist opens the fourth strong with starting possession and an opening goal from Bentley assisted by Naegle. Three minutes later Naegle found Bentley again with a cross pool pass. Bentley let it rip in one smooth motion, zooming past Senas hands making the score 5-8.
The game continued to be physical, Wagner ended the game with 11 exclusions, the Red Foxes ended with six, three of which coming from Bentley.
With 2:32 senior attack Rachel Dean cashed in on a fiver meter shot. Wagner graduate student Grace Coleman answered 15 seconds later to push the Seahawks lead back to three. The Red Foxes answer immediately with less than a minute left in play. DeBeer tosses a lob pass that senior center Ella Baugmgarten is just able to tap in over Sena putting Marist back within two, 7-9.
Wagner slows down play trying to hold onto the ball as long as they can without violating the shot clock.
Late turnovers killed the Red Foxes, turning over the ball with less than a minute left.
Ogg gained possession of the turnover for the Seahawks, sending the ball down the pool finding senior attack Lizzy Koerper alone with Sanchez. Koerper sends the ball into the top right corner past Sanchez to end the game 10-7.
The Red Foxes will play two games tomorrow at the MAAC showcase. With their first tip off against LIU at 9:30 and then later that afternoon at 12:30 versus La Salle University.
Edited by Hayden Shapiro
Graphic by Cara Lacey, Photo from Marist Athletics
For more coverage of Marist athletics, follow @cfmarist on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Bluesky. Sign up to receive daily alerts here.