STATEN ISLAND, New York - Competing in its final regular season road trip of the year, the VMI water polo team dropped both its matches against St. Francis and host No. 20 Wagner Saturday in Staten Island, New York.
Falling to St. Francis by an 11-10 score, the Keydets fell to the Bulldogs for a second straight time in overtime periods in heartbreaking fashion as the Bulldogs claimed the win with two goals to VMI's one in the second overtime.
VMI fell in its afternoon match to No. 20 Wagner by a 20-8 tally.
St. Francis 11, VMI 10 (2OT)
With the match tied at one apiece after one quarter and the Keydets trailing by a close 5-4 margin at the half, VMI rallied in the third quarter to tie the game at 7-7 at the end of the third quarter. VMI's Madison Curran, Shelby Barkley and Cecilya Lundy notched scored to knot the game with one period remaining.
The teams again battled in the final eight minutes as VMI's Bailey Huddleston struck first at the 7:27 mark. The Bulldogs proceeded to score two goals over the next three minutes to go up by one, 9-8, with only four minutes left in regulation.
With 1:42 on the clock, VMI sophomore Natalie Rivas came in clutch to tie the game at nine apiece as the Keydets held strong in the final moments to force overtime.
St. Francis scored one goal in the first overtime while the Keydets failed to score, but NCAA regulations require two overtime periods. In the second overtime, the Bulldogs struck first to go up by two, 11-9, with only two minutes left.
VMI's Curran managed a goal at the 1:57 mark, but the Keydets were unable to grab another score as St. Francis escaped with the victory.
No. 20 Wagner 20, VMI 8
Facing the ranked Seahawks for the second time in as many weeks, the Keydets were unable to keep pace as Wagner jumped to a 7-0 lead after the first quarter and 12-1 advantage by the half. VMI's Haley Scott scored the Keydets' lone goal of the half with 1:50 remaining to avoid the shutout through two periods of play.
VMI showed life in the second half and matched the Seahawks score for score to keep the match intact. After three quick Wagner scores in the third period, VMI's Huddleston scored two goals in the same minute. Following another Wagner score, VMI's Lundy scored three consecutive unassisted goals in the final three minutes of the frame to keep pace with the Seahawks.
The Keydets' Sophia DelBondio scored first in the fourth quarter before Wagner rattled off three goals that lasted the duration of the quarter. With one second on the clock, VMI's Rivas notched the last goal of the game for the match's final score.
VMI returns to action Sunday with two matches in New Rochelle, New York hosted by league member Iona College.
The Keydets face host Iona at 10:30 a.m. before squaring off with No. 25 Marist in a 2:30 p.m. matchup.
