This past weekend, Villanova’s women’s water polo team went 0-3 against Marist, Iona and St. Francis Brooklyn. 

The Wildcats played Marist on Saturday, April 1st, at the VMI Aquatic Center. After trailing by three goals through the first period of action, Villanova could not get closer and lost, 10-4.

The Red Foxes started the game strongly, needing less than a minute to get on the board first with a goal. Junior Stella Byles led Villanova with two goals, scoring both to open the third and fourth quarters. In net, freshman goalie Gracin Kerry made nine saves.

Villanova was held scoreless in the second period, and Marist’s defense remained too strong for the ‘Cats to catch up. The Wildcats tried to make a comeback in the second half, but Marist’s offense proved to be too powerful. 

With less than two minutes remaining in the first period, Villanova managed to cut the deficit to 4-1 with a goal from freshman Ella Mattocks. Mattocks had another chance at a similar goal late in the period, but it was stopped by the Marist goalie. 

The Wildcats managed to score two more goals in the fourth period, but the Red Foxes remained in control, sealing its victory.

In the next game, Iona defeated Villanova, 13-12, in a seven-period game. 

Villanova led, 5-3, at halftime, but Iona tied the game in the third and fourth quarters, sending the game into overtime. 

After two overtime periods, Iona scored in sudden death to secure the win. Emily Morrissey scored four goals for Villanova, while Abigail Shelby made 11 saves. 

In the final game of the weekend, St. Francis Brooklyn defeated Villanova, 14-9. 

After a tied first half, St. Francis Brooklyn pulled ahead with a 6-0 scoring run in the third and fourth periods. Villanova’s largest lead was two points early in the second half, and it scored four powerplay goals in the game. Senior Allie Hansen and McKenzie scored Villanova’s last two goals. 

“[It was] a difficult weekend for us,” head coach Larry Sanders said. “The teams we played deserve credit for playing well against us. [To prepare for upcoming games, we will] be spending some time working on [our] individual and team defense and continuing to improve [our] offens[ive] play, especially in regards to scoring goals.”

The Wildcats will host Siena on Friday, April 7th at 3 p.m. before taking on Mount St. Mary’s for Senior Day at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 8th.