The Wagner Seahawks broke the hearts of Marist water polo for the third year in a row, defeating them in the MAAC championship in the McCann Natatorium. This year was even more devastating than the last for the Red Foxes, as they lost in sudden-death overtime 14-13.
In a back-and-forth game, Marist led 9-7 at the end of the third quarter. Wagner tied the game at 11 in the fourth and would not back down in overtime.
While head coach Chris Vidale’s team has much to be proud of, after an undefeated regular season conference title, going 8-0 and finishing the season ranked in the top 25 in the nation, the sting of what could have been a 17-second difference will be present for a while.
“I mean, this team’s done so much, and they’ve been so great. It’s hard to find the words, but there’s a lot of love on our side, and I’ll always be there, and it’s unconditional, and I’m happy all of those people are on my side,” said Vidale.
In addition to an impressive season, Marist took home plenty of MAAC accolades. Senior goalkeeper Ines Sanchez won goalkeeper of the year, junior attackers Anita Radaelli and Kendell De Beer were named to the all-MAAC first team, and Vidale himself won coach of the year.
The two schools had faced off in the past two MAAC championships, with Wagner winning 9-8 and 14-11. Wagner has dominated MAAC water polo since it began in 2003. When the Seahawks lifted the trophy, it marked the program’s 13th championship over 23 tournaments.
Marist is no stranger to playing the Wagner Seahawks in the MAAC championship. This was the eleventh time the two have faced off on this stage. With the Red Foxes hanging the banner just once.
With the pain of the past year’s losses to Wagner still fresh in their mind, Marist made it an emphasis to beat them at every opportunity. This season saw the two play three times in the regular season, and the Red Foxes won all three by scores of 14-7, 7-6, and 11-9.
The game was intense from the opening minute. With a packed and loud McCann Natatourium, it was the most thrilling environment each team played in all season.
Through the first four minutes of the first quarter, both teams were deadlocked, no goals for either side. With both sides of the pool’s defense anchored by award winners, with Sanchez in the next for the Red Foxes, while junior attacker Ana Arias Perez, co-defensive player of the year, spearheaded the defense for the Seahawks.
De Beer kicked off the scoring, with her first goal coming on a penalty shot. Marist would end up spending most of the game in front.
Wagner’s preseason MAAC player of the year, senior attacker Magali Ogg, quickly scored after the De Beer goal, tying the game at one a piece.
The game’s most controversial moment came after Wagner regained possession. Marist forced a turnover, and senior utility Paige Naegle got the ball on a breakaway. She had a clear shot at the goal, but a whistle was blown. It did not come from the officials; it came from the rowdy sect of Wagner fans, stopping play.
“I mean, we scored a goal right away, which was great, but it just sucks that like that’s what it is, they were poor sports last year, and it just sucks that’s what it takes to be a championship team,” said Vidale.
De Beer scored the Marist goal after play resumed. The team took the lead, which would hold until the fourth quarter.
Sanchez continued to dominate for the Red Foxes in the first half. She made four saves in the second quarter, including one on a penalty shot. Marist led at the half, 5-4.
It looked like Marist would finally get over its demons at the start of the third quarter. They took a three-goal lead, thanks to two goals from senior attacker Lela McCaroll, giving her a hat-trick. Wagner responded, however, and scored three goals the rest of the quarter. De Beer added two more to give her team a 9-7 lead.
Wagner quickly tied it at nine in the fourth. Ogg added the equalizer with six and a half minutes left. The Red Foxes responded thanks to a hard shot goal from Radaelli to take a one-goal lead. Again, however, Ogg tied it up.
With a minute left, Marist scored a key goal to go back up one, on another penalty shot from De Beer, her fifth of the day. On their last possession, Wagner swam down, desperate to tie it. They got their goal from junior center Catherine Mentz, tying it with less than 30 seconds to go, sending the game to overtime.
In the first part of overtime, where two three-minute periods were played, a winner would have been determined if one team had the lead at the end. Wagner scored with less than a minute left. It was do or die for Marist, but they got the needed goal from their star De Beer.
McCarroll scored a quick goal in the second to give Marist a 13-12 lead. Wagner went down on their next possession and tied it at 13, sending the game to sudden death.
Marist forced two shots on goal, including a behind-the-back shot by De Beer. The Seahawks pushed down on their second possession and got the ball to Mentz in front of the net. She shot towards the right side of the goal, and it was just beyond the reach of Sanchez for the winning goal.
As the Wagner team all hugged in the pool with tears of happiness rolling down their faces and a trip to San Diego for the NCAA tournament in its future, the Red Foxes had tears of their own. In a game where they held the lead until the very end, one possession cost the team their chance to continue their season.
Vidale’s team now has to look forward to next season. Next year’s roster will look substantially different, with five graduating seniors, including Sanchez, who has been a star goalie for the program.
Edited, Graphic and Photo by Cara Lacey
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