PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Villanova water polo team kicked off the 2017 season this weekend at the Bruno Classic, hosted by Brown University. The Wildcats fell to Ivy League foes Brown (13-7) and Princeton (13-3) on Friday, but rallied to dominate McKendree 17-2 on Sunday morning at the Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center. The competitive tournament featured 22 games between 12 teams spanning from Friday night until Sunday afternoon. Villanova will have the week off and return to action February 13 when they host La Salle at the Villanova Swim Complex.

Brown - 13, Villanova - 7
Senior Sheila Gerrity and sophomore Kate Stenmoen netted goals in the first to keep pace to tie the Bears late in the first quarter. The Bears were able to add a goal with 1:17 remaining in the first quarter to take a slim lead in the break. Brown kept the momentum, going on an 8-2 run in the second and third quarters to extend their lead to 11-4. The Wildcats outscored Brown 3-2 in the fourth as Gerrity added her second goal of the contest and while junior Preseason All-MAAC Selection Dominique Clark scored her first two goals of the season in the final period.

Brown....................... 3ââ'¬Â¦4ââ'¬Â¦4ââ'¬Â¦2ââ'¬Â¦13
Villanova................... 2ââ'¬Â¦1ââ'¬Â¦1ââ'¬Â¦3ââ'¬Â¦7

Villanova Goals: Clark 2, Gerrity 2, Stenmoen 2, French 1.

Princeton - 13, Villanova - 3
Princeton started the match on a 5-0 run to grab an early lead. Dominique Clark added her third goal of the tournament in the second to chop the Tiger lead to 5-1. After a Tiger goal, Sheila Gerrity answered with a mark to cut the Princeton lead back to four. The Tigers extended their lead to 9-2 before halftime, and would take a 13-2 lead in the fourth before Kate Stenmoen scored with 32 seconds remaining in the contest.

Princeton................... 5ââ'¬Â¦4ââ'¬Â¦2ââ'¬Â¦.2..13
Villanova.................... 0ââ'¬Â¦2ââ'¬Â¦0ââ'¬Â¦1ââ'¬Â¦3

Villanova Goals:Clark 2, Gerrity 2, Stenmoen 2, French 1.
Villanova Saves:Perry 7.

Villanova - 17 vs. McKendree - 2
The Wildcats rallied on Sunday morning, starting the game on a 7-0 run to take a 9-1 lead at halftime. Villanova did not let up, extending their lead to 14-2 at the end of three quarters. The Cats added three goals in the fourth to complete the dominating performance. Sara Lynn Abele netted four goals in the contest, while Dominique Clark recorded a hat trick. Paris Huffman and Jenna Gavenman each had two goals for Villanova.

Villanova....................... 4ââ'¬Â¦5ââ'¬Â¦5ââ'¬Â¦2ââ'¬Â¦17
McKendree................... 0ââ'¬Â¦1ââ'¬Â¦1ââ'¬Â¦0ââ'¬Â¦.2

Villanova Goals: Abele 4, Clark 3, Gavenman 2, Huffman 2, Breen, French, Gerrity, Paparella, Stenmoen.
Villanova Saves:Perry 11.