April 9, 2011
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist water polo team won two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) games in the McCann Natatorium on Saturday, defeating Wagner 10-9 and Saint Francis (NY) 14-11. The win was Marist's third in a row and the fifth in its last six games.
In the first game, against Wagner, the Red Foxes and the Seahawks scored three goals apiece in the first quarter before Marist outscored Wagner 1-0 in the second quarter to take a 4-3 lead into the half. Each side scored six goals in the second half, but Marist's one goal advantage heading into the second half proved to be the difference, as they went on to win 10-9
Senior Rosie Pauli (Sacramento, Calif.) led Marist with three goals, while Agnes Konopka (Simi Valley, Calif.) and juniors Kelly Kline (Reading, Pa.) and Desiree Desaulniers (Orlando, Fla.) each tallied two goals apiece. Sophomore Robyn Crabtree (Cutler Bay, Fla.) also scored for the Red Foxes.
In goal, freshman Alexis Solaro recorded 10 saves and two steals for Marist.
Game two saw Marist jump out to a 3-1 lead over Saint Francis after one quarter of play, but the Red Foxes were outscored 4-3 in the second quarter before taking a 6-5 lead into the half. Both sides scored three goals apiece in the third quarter, but the Marist attack was relentless in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Terriers by a 5-3 margin to claim the 14-11 victory.
Konopka led the Red Foxes with five goals, while Pauli and sophomore Shelby Rinker (Lansdale, Pa.) scored three times each. Junior Jaclyn Puccino (San Diego, Calif.) scored two goals, both on five-meter attempts, while Desaulniers also found the back of the net for Marist.
On the defensive end, Solaro came up big once again for the Red Foxes, recording eight saves and three steals, while Rinker also recorded three steals.
The Red Foxes will continue their quest for a fourth-straight MAAC title tomorrow when they take on Iona at 10:30 a.m., followed by a matchup with Siena at 1:30 p.m. All of tomorrow's games will be played at host Siena.
Marist-Wagner Line Score
Marist-3-1-4-2-10
Wagner-3-0-4-2-9
Marist Goals: Pauli 3, Konopka 2, Kline 2, Desaulniers 2, Crabtree
Wagner Goals: Giles 3, Beck 2, French 2, Hannings, Hoshko
Marist Saves: Solaro 10
Wagner Saves: Karbach 2
Marist-St. Francis Line Score
Marist-3-3-3-5-14
St. Francis-1-4-3-3-11
Marist Goals: Konopka 5, Pauli 3, Rinker 3, Puccino 2, Desaulniers
St. Francis Goals: Toth 4, Paladino 4, Hardy, Hernandez, Dolnay
Marist Saves: Solaro 8
St. Francis Saves: Davis 11
