POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Kaysie Stuba recorded a team-high five points on Sunday morning as Villanova fell to No. 24 Marist, 12-9, at the McCann Natatorium.

Villanova (14-11, 3-3 MAAC) scored on a third of its 27 shot attempts in the defeat. It handed possession over to Marist (16-11, 3-2 MAAC) 15 times throughout the contest. Stuba, Stella Byles and Amanda Rice led the team in scoring as both netted two goals each. Stuba and Byles have been leading scorers in back-to-back games while Byles has done so in three straight games.

"It was a good game, but we just could not get over the hump," head coach Larry Sanders said.

Byles recorded the first goal for Villanova just two minutes into the game but Marist answered with back-to-back scoring opportunities. Amanda Rice brought the score even at two with four minutes remaining before Marist's Ella Baumgarten and Madeline Schultz gave the Red Foxes a 4-2 lead through the opening frame.

The scoring run continued for Marist into the second with two more punch-ins pushing the Marist lead to 6-2. Emily Morrissey ended the 4-0 run with a goal at the 5:37 mark, but her chance was quickly met by another pair of Marist net-movers. Joia McKinney connected on the final look of the period, making it 8-4 at the half.

A whistle on Schultz in the opening period gave Villanova a player-up advantage that Isabel Herbst capitalized on nine seconds later, cutting into the lead, 8-5. Marist scored a powerplay and even-strength goal to jump out to a five-goal lead before Byles grabbed her second of the day just under five minutes into the third. Stuba netted her first chance of the day as Villanova trailed 10-7 at the end of the third.

Rice had the first goal of the fourth for the 'Cats, answering an early Marist goal to put Villanova three goals back at 11-8. Stuba got the Wildcats within a pair with 5:28 remaining, but Marist netted the dagger at the 1:41 mark to end it.

Morrissey and Adrienne Grimes tallied assists in the loss. Sydney Bianchi, Herbst and Grimes all led the team with a pair of steals each.

Abigail Sheby made two saves through the first 16 minutes of action, allowing eight goals. Sarah Shaw was efficient in net, making six saves and grabbing a steal while letting four shots past in the second half.

There is just one game remaining for the Wildcats in the Empire State as they head to Siena this afternoon. That contest begins at 4 p.m. at the Siena Swim Center in Loudonville, N.Y.