POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Marist water polo's class of 2020 is one of the most accomplished groups in many years, with a number of ranked wins, conference championship runs and accolades. Though their careers got off to an unexpected start, none of them would change the choices they made to be Red Foxes and represent the college against national-level competition on a yearly basis.

Though head coach Chris Vidale was not responsible for recruiting the freshmen he coached in his first year at Marist, he and the team trusted each other and built a strong foundation that lasted throughout their college experiences.

"It's funny that this year has ended so abruptly, because I've been thinking about what I would say to these six seniors ever since school started in the fall. I've played around with jokes and stories to tell, because I wanted to embarrass them in front of their peers before I got to speak about their individual achievements," quipped Vidale. "This group came to this program and bought into change. Change is never easy, but these six led our program to great heights during our amazing water polo adventures."

The class of 2020 graduates with 67 wins, three appearances in the MAAC Championship finals, and victories over nationally ranked teams such as #13 Hartwick, #17 Harvard and many more. Their senior season ended before it truly began, as the Red Foxes had just begun to hit their stride in their final two weekends of competition. No one knows what the result would have been come April 25-26, when Marist was scheduled to host the MAAC Championships. Nevertheless, this talented class proved themselves in the pool every year, and will continue to prove themselves no matter what the future may hold.

"Their next adventures will be playing abroad professionally, medical school, law school, environmental reform and pursuing a Master's in Child Psychology. This group, like me, has always believed in working hard and playing hard. While their next journeys will come with their own sets of new challenges, I know they will rise to the occasion and embrace change, being the leaders I've been blessed to coach for the past three and a half years."

LEXI PUHL

"The beginning of our careers was full of so many learning experiences, between long practice weeks, academics and travel. At the same time, we joined this big group of girls and a crazy coach that we had never met," stated Lexi Puhl. "We weren't recruited by coach Chris [Vidale], but with his sense of humor and big heart, it didn't take too long before we all became a family."

A captain for the 2020 season, Lexi Puhl led the Red Foxes through her ability to overcome adversity and succeed in and out of the water. Despite going through injury, she was available to play in nearly every game of her career.

"I was able to play through dislocating my knee my sophomore year, and I came back strong for my junior year as we made a run for the championship. We came up short, and hoped to make up for it as seniors and have the perfect ending for our careers. Sadly, that did not happen, but this sport has given me so much more."

Puhl capped off her senior season with 34 goals, 27 assists, 61 points and 55 steals. As she prepares for the next stage of her career, the attacker looks back on her time at Marist fondly, and knows she made friends for life.

"I am so grateful that I got to be a captain alongside Carsen [Horvatich], and that our teammates trusted us to lead them. I'm devastated that my time with the team was cut short, but I am so grateful for every part of the process. Marist water polo will always be a part of me, and I will carry every experience with my foxy family with me moving forward."
 

BREE MARMION

In four years on the team, Bree Marmion provided consistent depth on offense and defense and was always ready to contribute when called upon. Marmion was on her way to her strongest offensive season as a Red Fox in 2020, was ready to help the team in their pursuit of a championship.

The attacker ends her fourth season with totals of 16 goals, 36 assists and four steals. Marmion was one of the top facilitators on the team every season, and had a number of offensive weapons to work with in 2020. We will never know what the final results for this team would have been, but Marmion was ready to work with her class and the rest of the team to accomplish their dreams.
 

CAROLYN GAUVIN

"The greatest and most important parts of my college career were meeting groups of girls each season who were always supportive and fun, regardless of the situation," noted Carolyn Gauvin. "Being able to lean on them, as well as a coach who taught me so much in and out of the pool was invaluable."

Carolyn Gauvin was in the midst of the best season of her career in 2020. As a consistent starter, she had tallied 13 goals through 17 games, including a five-goal explosion against Bucknell on February 1. The Coronado-native had hit her stride as a player, and certainly would have continued to grow had the season continued.

"As a player, I was excited to have earned a starting spot as center my senior year. In the past, I wasn't always the biggest and strongest center in the pool, but I was proud of the way I played and the quickness and athleticism I brought to the game," remarked Gauvin. "It was fun to see more playing time every year, and I loved making memories with the team each year as we took down ranked programs. I'll never take these moments for granted."

Gauvin closes 2020 with career marks of 73 goals, 16 assists, 32 drawn exclusions and 32 steals. While she was always a provider for the team, her final season was proving to be special. Nevertheless, Gauvin cherishes the time she spent with the Red Foxes, whether it was winning in the water or just hanging out as friends.
 

JUSTINE CASTRO

As one of the most well-rounded players on the team in her tenure, Justine Castro contributed to Marist's success in many facets of the game. She filled the stat sheet with assists, steals and field blocks, while being one of the Red Foxes' leading scorers as well. In her 2018 season, she was named Second Team All-MAAC.

Castro ends 2020 with career marks of 103 goals, 73 assists, 176 points, 37 drawn exclusions, 101 steals and 15 field blocks. With a full season, she would have continued to stack up her career numbers and potentially earned conference recognition for her efforts. Castro was a valuable part of Marist's squad, and made an impact in every game she played.
 

CARSEN HORVATICH

"I have loved my water polo career. It started off rocky and uncertain, because the coach that recruited me left before our freshman year," remembered Carsen Horvatich. "However, coach Chris [Vidale] turned out to be the best coach I could have ever experienced. He believed in me when I didn't believe in myself."

Though she was held back by nagging injuries, Carsen Horvatich stands as one of the most talented goalkeepers in recent years at Marist. Healthy or not, she was always there for her teammates, and was even named a captain as a senior.

"I was able to play a lot as a freshman, but I had persistent hip issues during my career that got worse as I played more in college. I had surgery on my torn labrums that sidelined me as a sophomore, which was really hard for me."

Horvatich's lone completely healthy season, her junior year, was one for the books. After helping the Red Foxes to 22 wins and a dominant 12-2 MAAC record, the goalkeeper earned four MAAC Defensive Player of the Week awards as well as First Team All-MAAC honors, making her the top player at her position in the conference.

"When I was named captain as a senior, it felt amazing to be chosen by my teammates. Senior year was the last chance to win a championship, and we all thought it was our time. I was picked as Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, and I wanted to prove I was worthy," reflected Horvatich. "We never got to find out what our outcome would have been, which is hard to accept. However, I am very proud of our team for the hard work we have put in, and the success we have all experienced together."

For her career, Horvatich recorded 375 saves, a save percentage of .482 and 46 steals. With her holding down the net, the Red Foxes held their ground against nationally ranked teams on a weekly basis, and would have continued to excel in 2020. While Horvatich did not have the full career she wished for, she wouldn't change anything about her experiences as a Red Fox.
 

ANAIS MATHES

Named MAAC Preseason Player of the Year in 2020, Anais Mathes had high expectations for the season. In the games before the campaign's premature ending, the utility was making an impact. She scored 22 goals in 13 appearances, and was well on her way to the best season of her career.

"With the season ending so abruptly, it was a reality check to every player that they should treat every game like it's their last," noted Anais Mathes. "The hard work we put in and tough schedule we played was about to pay off for us, but our hopes of winning a MAAC championship were crushed."

The Red Foxes did not get to complete their season and fight for a championship, and it's unknown how Mathes and the others would have performed in the quest for the title. The San Diego-native holds career stats of 123 goals, 63 assists, 186 points, 51 drawn exclusions and 56 steals. Mathes was on pace for an All-MAAC season as was predicted, and with her teammates, may have gone all the way when the time came.

"I wanted to win for coach Chris [Vidale]. He taught us to persevere through adversity, be patient with the process, and most importantly, be there for each other. We will continue to rise above, and I'm grateful and honored to have played for Marist for the past four years alongside lifelong friends."
 

LOOKING FORWARD

This highly talented class put together years of competitive play on the national level, and appeared in the College Water Polo Association Top-25 Rankings countless times. They are a special group who helped Marist display excellence which set them apart from other programs.

Though the 2020 campaign will remain unfinished, these Red Foxes knew they had a chance to win against any opponent they faced, and had a special potential in their senior year. Whether they return to the water or begin a new journey, they will continue to excel at whatever they do, and have their years at Marist to take with them as well.
 
 

Each week, the Marist Athletics Department will spotlight the Class of 2020 from the spring sports whose seasons ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 outbreak. To learn more about these seniors, check back on GoRedFoxes.com, and follow Marist Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Senior Spotlights: Women's Tennis (March 23) | Men's Tennis (March 25) | Women's Lacrosse (March 30) | Baseball (March 31) | Softball | Women's Track and Field | Men's Rowing | Women's Rowing | Men's Lacrosse | Men's Track and Field