Water Polo Splits Final Set of West Coast Games

Women's Water Polo VMIKeydets.com

Water Polo Splits Final Set of West Coast Games

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- In its final day on the West Coast, the Virginia Military Institute women's water polo team split its results, falling narrowly to Azusa Pacific University 8-7, but rebounded in the finale with a dominating 16-3 performance against Macalester College.

The pair of games wrapped up a nine-game tour in California, during which the Keydets posted three wins, including the program's first-ever win against a West Coast school.

In the opener, freshman Caitlyn Jackson led the way for VMI, notching four goals, including two in the third quarter. Sophomore Celine Lazzaro buried three markers, with two in the opening stanza. In goal, freshman Molly Watkins played the entire game, making eight saves. She stopped three shots in the second and fourth quarters.

The Keydets held a 2-1 advantage after the first quarter against Azusa Pacific, but the Tigers answered back with a 2-1 quarter of their own in the second, tying the game 3-3 at halftime. VMI scored three more times in the third, while APU scored twice. But a three-goal outburst in the fourth gave Azusa Pacific the win, while VMI notched just one goal in the final stanza.

Game two against Macalester saw VMI put up its second-highest goal total of the season with 16, while holding the Scots to just three goals, tying a program record for fewest goals allowed in a game.

It was the Lazzaro show against Macalester as the Keydet posted six goals, including three in the fourth quarter. Mackenzie Perkins got in on the offense as well, potting four goals. Jackson struck three times and fellow freshman Joyce Zabala logged a pair of goals.

A big part of VMI's defensive effort came from Watkins, who notched 14 saves. The 6-1 freshman started of the second game strong, stopping five shots in each of the first two quarters. In the second half, she made two saves in each period.

More history will be made next weekend as the Keydets host a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference weekend. The entire conference comes to Lexington on Saturday at Sunday for 12 games. VMI will take on four league opponents. All of the games will be held at Clark King Pool in beautiful, Lexington, Va.
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Players Mentioned

Celine Lazzaro

#6 Celine Lazzaro

Center
5' 9"
Sophomore
Mackenzie Perkins

#12 Mackenzie Perkins

Center Defender
5' 7"
Sophomore
Joyce Zabala

#3 Joyce Zabala

Attacker
5' 6"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Celine Lazzaro

#6 Celine Lazzaro

5' 9"
Sophomore
Center
Mackenzie Perkins

#12 Mackenzie Perkins

5' 7"
Sophomore
Center Defender
Joyce Zabala

#3 Joyce Zabala

5' 6"
Freshman
Attacker