May 1, 2011

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist water polo team defeated St. Francis (N.Y.) in Sunday's third place match at the MAAC Championship by a score of 9-5. On the strength of two four-goal periods, the Red Foxes won to finish their season with a 20-21 record. Senior Agnes Konopka (Simi Valley, Calif.) led the team in her final game with three goals scored.

After going scoreless in the first quarter, Marist got on the scoreboard less than a minute into the second period as junior Jaclyn Puccino (San Diego, Calif.) scored at 7:22. The Red Foxes continued their scoring as they netted three more unanswered goals to push the lead to 4-1. Seniors Agnes Konopka (Simi Valley, Calif.) and Rosie Pauli (Sacramento, Calif.) and sophomore Robyn Crabtree (Cutler Bay, Fla.) notched the scores for Marist. A late St. Francis goal closed the first half scoring at 4-2.

The third quarter went by quickly as just one goal was scored off of a shot by junior Kirsten Siegel (San Diego, Calif.) scored the Marist goal on a 5-meter attempt. The Red Foxes closed the scoring and the game with a Pauli marker at 1:38 to make the final score 9-5.

Post-game, junior Desiree Desaulniers (Orlando, Fla.) was named to the All-MAAC Tournament Team.

The senior class of Agnes Konopka, Rosie Pauli and Grace Hatcher (Evanston, Illinois) finish their careers with three MAAC Championship Titles, the program's first two NCAA victories and 85 total wins.

Marist-St. Francis (N.Y.) Line Score

Marist: 0-4-1-4=9

St. Francis (N.Y.): 1-1-0-3=5

Marist Goals: Konopka 3, Pauli 2, Puccino 1, Crabtree 1, Kline 1, Siegel 1

St. Francis (N.Y.): Toth 2, Szivos 1, Paladino 1, Dolnay 1

Marist Saves: Solaro 9

St. Francis (N.Y.) Saves: Davis 10