Marist Women Win MAAC Water Polo Title With 13-10 Victory Over VMI

Courtesy: Marist Athletics

POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Marist Water Polo captured its fifth Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship on Sunday, May 2nd with a 13-10 victory over VMI in the McCann Natatorium.

The Red Foxes will make their first trip to the NCAA Tournament under Head Coach Chris Vidale, earning their first MAAC title since 2010. Marist also won the MAAC title in 2006, 2008, and 2009.

After falling behind 2-1 early in the first period, Myriam Lizotte scored two goals in a row to put the Red Foxes in front 3-2 and from there they never trailed the rest of the way. Marist’s lead never eclipsed four, however, as the Keydets remained competitive in the third meeting between the two schools in the 2021 campaign. VMI was able to close the deficit to as little as two goals in the fourth quarter, but late goals from Justine Castro and Viktoria Orlova helped lead the Red Foxes to the victory and the title.

• Kathryn McCullough struck first for the Red Foxes, scoring the first goal of the game at the 7:32 mark of the first quarter.
• Genevieve Petrassi of VMI answered by scoring two straight goals and giving the Keydets a 2-1 lead midway through the first.
• Lizotte responded with two-straight goals of her own, and then Fallon Burnworth followed with a goal of her own to give Marist a 4-2.
• Kiara Anguiano scored with just five second remaining in the first quarter to pull back within one goal. However, this would be as close as VMI would get as the Red Foxes would never relinquish this lead despite the Keydets never really quitting.
• Shinae Carrington scored the first goal of the second quarter, but VMI quickly had an answer as Makenna Moore found the back of the net a couple minutes later.
• The turning point of the game came midway through the second quarter, as Marist went on a brief 2-0 run (thanks to goals from Sawyer Alter and Castro to take a 7-4 lead into halftime.
• McCullough scored the first goal of the third quarter, giving the Red Foxes their largest lead of the day of four, and that was just about the end of the road for VMI. The Keydets were able to keep within striking distance, closing the deficit to two goals by the end of the third quarter, but it wouldn’t be enough.
• Fourth quarter goals from Lizotte, Castro, and Orlova secured the 13-10 victory for Marist, and the fifth MAAC Championship in program history.

• Lizotte had a game-high four goals and two steals to lead the way for the Red Foxes.
• Orlova, McCullough, and Castro had two goals each on the day,  and Sawyer Alter, Carrington, and Burnworth each had one goal.
• Castro had an impressive all-around performance, also adding five assists for a total of seven points, to go with three drawn exclusions which were both game-highs.
• Marina Hyham had nine saves in goal for Marist.
• Petrassi led the Keydets with three goals.
• The Red Foxes were 7-11 on power plays, while VMI was just 4-7.
• Marist was 2-0 on penalty shots, while the Keydets had none.

• Carrington, Castro, and Lizotte were all named to the MAAC All-Championship Team.
• Orlova was named the MAAC Championship MVP.
• This is Head Coach Chris Vidale‘s first MAAC Championship at Marist.
• This is the fifth MAAC Championship in program history for the Red Foxes, with the last coming in 2010.
• Marist is now 10-1 all-time against the Keydets, and have defeated them twice in postseason play.
• The Red Foxes improve to 8-0 on the season, while VMI falls to 6-12.

• Viktoria Orlova: “Today was the definition of a team-effort. Everyone stepped up, including Myriam who had an amazing game. It was an honor to be named the MAAC Championship MVP, but nothing compared to the feeling of holding that MAAC Championship trophy.”
• Kaylee Brard: “I could not be happier at this moment. It has been a really challenging year for us so the fact that we were able to pull this off makes it so much sweeter. This is such a memorable first year, and this will be something I will carry with me for the reest of my time at Marist.”
• Fallon Burnworth: “I am really proud of all of my teammates and myself too of course. I am so excited to go to the NCAA Tournament, but I am especially happy for our grad students Justine and Bree who have been working their whole careers for this moment. They deserve it more than anyone!”
• Justine Castro: “I had tears of joy at the end of that game. After having last season taken away from us without any closure, this is something that I felt like I needed to complete my journey here at Marist. I couldn’t be more thankful.”
• Katelin Harris: “This means everything to me. This was my last game in my home pool as a senior and I wanted to go out with a bang. I’ve been to the MAAC Championship game twice, but to finally come out with a win in my final year is absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to head to my home state of California and showcase our talents on a national stage.”
• Myriam Lizotte: “This was a total team success. I was happy with what I accomplished individually in the game, but all that truly matters is that we were able to walk away with that trophy at the end of the day.
• Marina Hyham: “I am so ecstatic right now, and maybe in a little shock? It hasn’t really hit me yet but it felt absolutely incredible to lift that trophy after the game today. I’m so happy for all of my teammates for everything we have accomplished this season, it was such a difficult journey but we made it.”
• Head Coach Chris Vidale: “At the end of the day it is all about these young women and I am super proud of them and everything they have accomplished in this crazy season. This feels absolutely awesome, and that’s just about the only simple way to put it. We are looking forward to the NCAA Tournament!”

The NCAA women’s water polo championship selection show will take place on Monday, May 3rd at 8 p.m. NCAA.com will have a live stream of the announcement. The championship takes place from May 14th-16th at Spieker Aquatics Center in Los Angeles, CA.

Courtesy: VMI Athletics

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The VMI women’s water polo team trailed by just one goal with three minutes to play, but Marist College defeated the Keydets 13-10 to win the game and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title in its home pool Sunday.

The Red Foxes led 10-6 midway through the third period, but there was no quit in the Keydets, playing in their first MAAC Championship game in program history. Genevieve Petrassi and McKenna Imset each scored for VMI before the end of the third to cut the lead to two.

The Red Foxes scored the first goal of the fourth, but VMI countered with tallies from Caragh Osbourne and Imset with 3:06 on the game clock to make it 11-10. Marist was awarded a penalty shot at 2:54 and converted, and added an insurance goal with just over a minute to play.

Petrassi led VMI with a hat trick and Imset scored twice and drew two exclusions. Makenna Moore and Sydney Shettleroe each had a goal and two assists, while Rachel Ahumada, Kiara Anguiano and Osborne all scored once. Maddie Berry had two assists and Katie Loyd made six stops in net.

Marist converted on seven of 13 power play attempts and both penalty shots. VMI scored on four of seven power plays and was not awarded a penalty shot.

Myriam Lizotte scored four times for Marist (8-2) with one assist. Marina Hyham made nine saves.

VMI ends the 2021 season 6-12 overall, but fell seven times by four goals or less.