April 19, 1999

On April 17-18, the Villanova women's water polo team competed at the Mid-Atlantic Championships held at Penn State University. In their first round game on Saturday, April 17, the Wildcats defeated Salem-Teikyo 12-8. In its second game of the day on Saturday, Villanova lost to Princeton University, 10-5, sending the Cats to the tournament's third place game on Sunday, to meet Slippery Rock. Against Slippery Rock on Sunday, Villanova was victorious by the score of 15-8. With the win, the Wildcats finished in third place at the Mid-Atlantic Championships earning them a berth in the Eastern Championships, to be held at Harvard University on April 23-25. Only the top three finishers at the Mid-Atlantic Championships advanced the Easterns.

Against Salem-Teikyo, Villanova jumped out to an early 6-2 lead after one period of play, led by three goals by freshman Kelly Rodriguez. With Salem trailing 7-4 at the beginning of the third period, the Tigers rallied to close the gap to 9-8 by the start of the fourth and final period. The Wildcats proved too strong, however, as they scored three unanswered goals to take a 12-8 victory. Sophomore Carrie Boyle scored two of Villanova's three fourth period goals and finished the game with four goals.

On Saturday evening against Princeton, the Wildcats found themselves down 6-0 after the first period. Villanova rallied to outscore the Tigers 5-4 over the remaining three periods, but the Wildcats rally attempt was cut short as the Tigers went on to a 10-5 victory.

Needing a victory on Sunday to advance to the Eastern Championships, junior captain Brigitte Bayster scored three goals in the first period to give Villanova a 7-3 lead. The Wildcats extended that lead to 11-4 at the half, as fellow captain Carrie Boyle matched Bayster's first period performance with three goals. In the second half, Villanova held off Slippery Rock and claimed a 15-8 victory to advance to the Eastern Championships. Freshman goalie Carly Sproul finished the game with 13 saves for the Wildcats.

Villanova will now travel to Harvard University to participate in the Eastern Championships on April 23-25.