POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- Taking on two of the top teams in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, the Virginia Military Institute women's water polo team dropped a pair of games Sunday as part of the Keydets' league-opening weekend.
VMI (10-13, 2-2 MAAC) dropped its first game of the day against the host, Marist College, 17-7. In the second game, the Keydets fell 14-6 against the three-time defending league champion, Iona College. Both games were contested at Marist's McCann Natatorium.
Against the Red Foxes in the day's opener, VMI was led by Celine Lazzaro and Caitlyn Jackson, who potted two goals each. Senior Molly Andoe, junior Mackenzie Perkins and freshman Bailey Huddleston tallied one marker apiece. In the cage, sophomore Emily Cait Farsakian made five stops.
In the fourth game of the weekend for the Keydets, Jackson once again led the offense, registering two goals. Four other Keydets, Lazzaro, Perkins, Sierra Payne and Cecilya Lundy, scored one goal each. The Keydets struggled with the extra attacker, scoring just twice on nine chances. Farsakian was big in goal again for the Keydets, making 14 saves against the league powerhouse.
The Keydets return to the pool on Saturday April 5 when Siena College hosts the full round-robin weekend for the Conference. VMI's weekend in Loudonville, N.Y. begins with Villanova University at 2:30 p.m., followed by a 5:30 match with Wagner College, which was finished as the league's runner-up the last three seasons.
VMI continues action next weekend on Sunday, also at the Siena Swim Center, against the host Saints at 9 a.m., followed by a rematch with St. Francis Brooklyn, which VMI beat 13-10 earlier this weekend. VMI takes on the Terriers at 2:30 p.m.
