Macalester2

Women's Water Polo

VMI Water Polo continues blistering start with two wins Saturday

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
Saint Paul, Minn. – The VMI Water Polo Team entered Saturday with a record of 4-1, picking up two more victories in the Macalester Invite to move the Keydets to an impressive 6-1 overall in 2025.

VMI would first edge out Augustana by a score of 13-12 before dominating Carthage 22-13 in the nightcap. The Keydets will close out the weekend tomorrow morning as they rematch with McKendree at 9:00 a.m. eastern.

The six wins on the season are the most since Head Coach Danielle Montenegro led VMI to six wins in 2021.

Game 1 – VMI 13, Augustana 12
- Sydney Smith, Courtney Novotny each net four goals, Sadie Smith scores two
- The contest was back-and-forth to start but VMI would take control, scoring three straight – including a goal from Novotny – to take a 6-3 advantage into the 2nd quarter
- It was all VMI in the second, as they would tack on two more to lead 8-3 at the midway point
- The teams traded goals early in the third, but Augustana would chip away at the lead, eventually tying the contest at 12 apiece with a minute to play in the 4th
- VMI would gain possession and call a timeout with less than 20 seconds to play, setting up Makynna Smith for the game-winning goal with six seconds to play

Game 2 - VMI 22, Carthage 13
- After serving as the game one hero, Makynna Smith opened game two with a goal before Novotny made it 3-0 just minutes into the contest
- Haley Minnich, Sadie Smith, Hollie Sauceda and Megan Riding all got in on the action, as VMI raced to a 9-2 advantage after 1 quarter
- Carthage would cut the deficit to four, but Makynna Smith scored just before the break to make it 11-6 VMI at the halfway point
- Despite Carthage opening the third with a goal, VMI would comfortably extend its lead to 12 going into the fourth before taking the contest 22-13

Macalester Invite Schedule – All Times Eastern/Central
February 14 vs. Macalester – W, 14-13
February 15 vs. Augustana – W, 13-12
February 15 vs. Carthage – W, 22-13
February 16 vs. McKendree – 10:00/9:00 AM - Watch
 
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Players Mentioned

Courtney Novotny

#4 Courtney Novotny

Utility
Junior
Sadie Smith

#11 Sadie Smith

2MD/Utility
Sophomore
Sydney Smith

#3 Sydney Smith

2MO
Sophomore
Hollie Sauceda

#10 Hollie Sauceda

A
Freshman
Makynna Smith

#8 Makynna Smith

C
Freshman
Haley  Minnich

#6 Haley Minnich

CD/U
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Courtney Novotny

#4 Courtney Novotny

Junior
Utility
Sadie Smith

#11 Sadie Smith

Sophomore
2MD/Utility
Sydney Smith

#3 Sydney Smith

Sophomore
2MO
Hollie Sauceda

#10 Hollie Sauceda

Freshman
A
Makynna Smith

#8 Makynna Smith

Freshman
C
Haley  Minnich

#6 Haley Minnich

Freshman
CD/U