POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The #2 Marist water polo team fell to the #1 Wagner Seahawks 10-7 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship game at McCann Natatorium on Sunday afternoon.

With the loss, the Red Foxes concluded the 2018 season with an overall record of 20-17 and a 12-2 mark in conference play.

SUMMARY:

The game started as a defensive battle with neither team allowing a goal until the Seahawks took the early lead with two late goals in the first quarter to take the 2-0 advantage into the second.

Wagner again kept Marist off the board and found the back of the net three more times to bring a 5-0 lead into the half.

Two quick goals by the Seahawks in the first three minutes pushed the score to 7-0 in favor of Wagner, but a five meter penalty shot for the Red Foxes was put home by junior co-captain Katherine Tijerina got Marist on the board. The goal gave the Red Foxes life as they reeled off three more goals in the third period, from senior co-captain Diana Carballo (2) and freshman Lauren Smith to trim the deficit to 7-4 heading into the final quarter.

However, the comeback was not to be had for Marist as the Seahawks matched them goal for goal in the final period, as Carballo, Tijerina and Smith found the back of the net for the Red Foxes and the final horn sounded with Wagner being crowned MAAC Champions for the fifth straight year.
KEY STATS:

• The Seahawks outshot Marist 29-21 on the afternoon
• The Red Foxes went 5-for-13 on the man advantage, while Wagner finished 4-for-9

GAME NOTES:

• In her final career game, senior co-captain Jessica Hermosillo finished with 8 saves and was named to the MAAC All-Tournament Team
• In her final career game, Carballo finished with 3 goals and 2 assists and was also named to the MAAC All-Tournament Team

COMING BACK:

Marist returns 18 players next year, including its top three scorers in Tijerina, junior Grace Doerfler and sophomore Anais Mathes.