LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The Virginia Military Institute women's water polo team opened its 2015 campaign Friday night at the Bison Invitational, falling 19-5 against Wagner College, which received votes in the most recent College Water Polo Association Coaches' Poll.
Despite both VMI and Wagner competing in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Friday's match at Kinney Natatorium was not a conference game.
The Keydets (0-1) got a pair of goals from sophomore Bailey Huddleston to kick off the season, potting markers in the first and fourth quarters. Rookie Shelby Barkley scored her first collegiate goal in the first quarter while Mackenzie Perkins and Caitlyn Jackson notched goals in the second.
Wagner (4-1) was paced by Kimberly Watson, who scored once in each quarter. Lily Doerfler and Megan Rodriguez struck three times apiece, Doerfler twice in the first and once in the second while Rodriguez notched two in the second and one in the third. Elise Begg, Jess Lundgren and Rachel Burns all scored twice. The Seahawks scoring was rounded out by one goal each from Amanda Sutherland, Jessica Burdge and Alexey Chandler.
VMI returns to action on Saturday at the Bison Invitational with a pair of non-conference games against Long Beach State University and Notre Dame College. The first Keydet clash is at 1:45 p.m. while VMI rounds out the day with a 9:15 p.m. start against Notre Dame College. Both games will be held at Kinney Natatorium.
