NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Looking to gain the upper hand against two of the league's tougher opponents, the VMI water polo dropped a 12-8 contest to No. 24 Marist before falling by a 10-9 score to Villanova Saturday at Hynes Pool at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York.
The Keydets (10-7) struggled to keep up with the Red Foxes in the first match of the day, falling behind 4-2 after the first period and 6-3 by the half. VMI scored five goals in the second half but Marist scored six to refuse to relinquish the lead.
Shelby Barkley and Natalie Rivas both scored two goals to lead the Keydet offense while Sophia DelBondio, Caroline Wojtas, Rebecca Serrano and Sarah Dolitsky each tallied one score.
Katherine Tijerina led the Red Foxes with three goals during the match with Diana Carballo contributing two.
Villanova 10, VMI 9
Down 8-5 after the third period, the Keydets rallied to score four goals in the fourth period but it was not enough as the Wildcats put in two goals of their own to secure the win.
Serrano scored a season-high four goals to lead VMI, including three in the fourth period, while Barkley contributed two. DelBondio, Rivas and Dolitsky each scored one goal in the loss.
