HAYWOOD, Calif. – The VMI Water Polo Team opened up its spring break trip to California on Saturday afternoon, defeating UC Merced 23-7, but falling at Cal State East Bay 19-11. The 23 goals against UC Merced were a season-high, while Sydney Shettleroe led the Keydets with seven goals in the two games.

Game 1 vs. UC Merced – W, 23-7
- Eight players combine for season-high 23 goals, led by Sydney Shettleroe (5 goals, 1 assist)
- Sydney Smith nets four while Julia Ward, Courtney Novotny and Sadie Smith each score three
- VMI totals 43 shots in the win, 11 steals and are a perfect 4-0 on sprints
- After the two sides traded goals to open the game, VMI would score seven unanswered to take a commanding 10-7 advantage
- UC Merced would score late in the first but the Keydets went on to score the next 11 and coasted to the win, with Sydney Smith scoring a pair to end the game
- Julia Ward (3), Katie Lloyd (4) total seven saves

Game 2 at Cal State East Bay – L, 11-19
- Six Keydets score as Sadie Smith registers a hat trick
- Novotny, Shettleroe, Gia Donatelli net two apiece
- Lloyd picks up season-high 10 saves, matching career-high
- Keydets total 35 shots, eight steals, six assists
- VMI scores 4 of the first 5 goals to take an early lead, Pioneers respond with 10 straight
- Keydets cut deficit to five midway into the fourth, but East Bay puts game away with four consecutive scores down the stretch

What's Next
VMI will remain out in the Golden State, traveling to Fresno for a game Monday evening with the action starting at 9:30 PM eastern. You can watch the game here and follow the live stats here.