LEXINGTON, Va. – Hosting its first home games of the 2015 season, the Virginia Military Institute water polo team won its morning match by a 12-11 score over Siena College before falling to Marist College in the afternoon tilt, 17-11, Saturday at Clark King Pool.
Freshman Shelby Barkley scored six goals for the Keydets in the win over the Saints to highlight VMI's efforts for the day. The all-time Institute record for goals in a single game is seven held by senior teammates Celine Lazzaro and Mackenzie Perkins.
Seniors Lazzaro, Perkins, Sierra Payne, Heather Magill and Elise Reed were recognized before the afternoon matchup with Marist for their accomplishments the past four years.
vs. Siena
The Saints struck first in the opening minute of the game before the Keydets responded with two goals by Shelby Barkley and Bailey Huddleston to grab a 2-1 advantage. MAAC leading scorer Stephanie Bundas tied back up at two with a goal before senior Mackenzie Perkins and Barkley closed the period with two goals to give VMI a 4-2 lead it would not relinquish.
Barkley, Cecilya Lundy, Natalie Rivas and Rebecca Serrano each scored goals for VMI in the second quarter while Siena added three to go into the break with an 8-5 advantage. Lundy's goal came off a power play opportunity off an assist from team Bailey Huddleston.
In the third quarter, Barkley notched two more goals with Perkins adding another, giving the Keydets an 11-7 going into the fourth. Despite a furious effort by Siena to catch up, VMI was able to hold off the Saints in the final moments to earn the 12-11 victory.
Keeper Emily Farsakian earned the win with a complete 32 minutes in the cage with three saves while Siena's Carly Jackson picked up the loss for Siena.
vs. Marist
The Red Foxes struck early and often as the Keydets struggled to keep pace in the 17-11 loss. After two quick goals by Marist, the Keydets' Natalie Rivas put VMI on the board midway through the opening period. Rivas would score again to cut into the Red Fox lead with three second left in the period as Marist opened the second with a 4-2 advantage.
Marist caught fire in the second quarter to score seven goals and ultimately the outcome of the game as VMI contested with three goals in the period. Rebecca Serrano, Rivas and Huddleston scored for the Keydets as Marist went into the intermission with an 11-5 lead.
Both teams would score three goals apiece in the third and fourth periods for the eventual 17-11 Marist win. Huddleston and Rivas scored quickly for the Keydets in the third with Lazzaro adding another. Huddleston scored four goals for the Keydets in the loss as Marist logged its third win over VMI this season.
Marist's Skyler Henry earned the win in the cage with three saves while Emily Farsakian was pinned with the loss to go with three saves.
