April 23, 2005

After defeating Iona in the morning, the Villanova water polo team returned to the pool Saturday evening and earned a hard fought 6-5 decision over Marist College. With the win, the Wildcats improve to 14-12 overall and 5-3 in MAAC play.

The two teams played to a 1-1 tie after the first quarter and a 3-3 deadlock at intermission. The Wildcats owned a 5-4 advantage entering the fourth quarter. In the fourth stanza, neither team was able to score until Villanova registered a goal on a penalty shot with just five seconds left in regulation. Marist scored a meaningless goal as time expired making the final 6-5.

In the win, the Wildcats were paced by junior Kim Pare (Grand Rapids, Mich.) who recorded three goals and senior Ellen Howe (San Diego, Calif.) who had a goal and three assists. Villanova's other two goals were credited to freshman Carla Martinez (Caguas, Puerto Rico) and sophomore Brynn Rooney (Downers Grove, Ill.).

Defensively, Rooney led the way with a team-best six steals, while senior Aimee Corsiglia (Mountain View, Calif.) and Pare each had three steals. Corsiglia also added an assist.

In goal, junior Jessica Wells (Newport Beach, Calif.) made nine saves to earn the win.

Villanova returns to action on Sunday, April 23 when they take on Wagner College at 1 p.m. and St. Francis (NY) at 4 p.m. Both games will be played in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y.