This weekend, Villanova’s water polo team (20-9, 7-1 MAAC) fell to No.22 Wagner (13-12, 6-2 MAAC), 12-11, in the MAAC semifinals, hosted in Poughkeepsie, NY. The Wildcats were seeded in No. 2 while Wagner was a No. 3 seed. The loss ended Villanova’s season.
Both teams got off to a hot start, matching each other at two goals by the end of the first period. However, Villanova was outscored 4-2 in the second and trailed 6-4 at the half.
The Wildcats tied the game again at 8-8 heading into the final quarter. In the fourth, the Seahawks maintained a steady lead as Villanova fought back to stay even.
Wagner ultimately outscored Villanova in the final period, 4-3.
“We stuck with the gameplan,” Coach Gordon said. “Played good defense throughout the game and we were back and forth. I credit the team for fighting down the stretch.”
Sophomore Layla Canales led Villanova with four. Seniors Sara Withers and Ella Mattocks contributed two each.
Withers also collected four assists, while senior Anna Painter and sophomore Riley Hull had two. Both the exclusion and steal categories featured eight Wildcats.
Canales had three steals, while Painter and Maddocks had two. Jones, Withers, Hull and freshman Tessa Pettit each tallied one steal.
Hull also drew seven exclusions, and Mattocks followed behind with six. Canales, Jones, Painter, Tippy Maguire and Emmie Mallory had one.
“The grit is incredible,” Coach Gordon said. “They were never backing down until the final whistle. They’re tough in the second half all the way down the stretch, we just ran out of time. It says a lot about the work ethic with the energy and hours.”
With the loss, seniors Mattocks, Withers, Painter, Jones, Isabel Foley and Gracin Kerry all finished their careers at Villanova.
Withers ends her career as Villanova’s all-time leading assist leader, surpassing Ellen Howe, who has held the record since 2005. She also holds the record for most assists in a single game with seven.
Mattocks’s 80 goals and 71 exclusions on the season establish her as one of the strongest centers in program history. She was also named to second team All-MAAC for the second consecutive year.
Hull was named the MAAC Offensive Player of the Year and earned first-team all-conference honors.
Gracin Kerry and Canales were named third team all-conference. Kerry saved five of 12 attempts against Wagner and totaled 177 saves on the season.
“The senior group left this spot in a much better position than when they came in and they’ve left a lasting legacy,” Coach Gordon said. “They’re really skilled and talented, they work tremendously well, and they’re a good example to set for everyone else coming through.”
Villanova ended its season with a final record of 20-9 and 7-1 in MAAC play. It is the Wildcats’ third consecutive season reaching the 20-win mark.
“We’ve had another great year,” Coach Gordon said. “We’re losing a big group with the seniors but with the preparation we do, everyone will show up with the minutes now open. The harder we practice against each other the better everyone is prepared.”
