STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference slate opened Saturday for Villanova Water Polo, falling 13-6 in the morning game against LIU before taking sown VMI, 21-6, at the Spiro Sports Center in Staten Island, N.Y.
 
Villanova (11-11) had six multi-goal performances throughout the day, led by a four-goal outing for Ella Mattocks in the win over VMI. The freshman scored on half of her eight attempts in the afternoon contest, adding on a pair of steals.
 
LIU 13, Villanova 6
A five-goal second quarter from LIU pieced with a scoreless third for Villanova led to a conference-opening loss for the Wildcats. Villanova had six goal scorers in the game led by a two-goal effort from Lauren Picard. The senior added on an assist for three points in the loss. The 'Cats scored were held to six goals on their 29 attempts by the LIU (10-9) defense.
 
The Wildcats answered an opening Sharks' goal by netting back-to-back scores from Amelia Baca and Emily Morrissey to take a 2-1 lead. LIU tied it on a Jessica Dean goal, but Allie Hansen put the lead back in favor of the Wildcats in the final minute at 3-2.
 
LIU opened the second quarter with a three-goal run to make it a two-goal game. The 'Cats were able to get a goal back late in the frame, but a pair of Shark goals made it a 5-1 period for LIU, pushing the score to 7-4 at the break.
 
Villanova was held scoreless in a third period that saw the Sharks tack on two more goals, extending their advantage to 9-4. LIU built out a 6-0 scoring run over the second, third and fourth quarters before the Wildcats netted another goal. Coco Jones ended the scoring stretch with under five minutes remaining, cutting the deficit to six, 11-5. The Wildcats could only get within six throughout the remainder of the game with LIU answering both Blue and White goals.
 
Elena Camarena scored at least one goal in each quarter, ending the day with a team-high five for LIU. In net for the 'Cats, Gracin Kerry and Sarah Shaw combined for 15 saves, including a powerplay grab for Shaw. The sophomore also tallied an assist and a steal.
 
Villanova 21, VMI 6
 
Villanova got back on track in the afternoon against VMI (3-8), scoring early and often to create a six-goal first half lead that was followed by an eight-goal third period. Aside from Mattocks, Emily Morrissey also provided an offensive punch for the 'Cats, scoring three goals.
 
The Wildcats opened the contest with back-to-back goals from Morrissey including a successful five-meter attempt at the 5:05 mark. The Keydets responded with a goal but that was quickly overshadowed by a trio of Blue and White goals from Stella Byles, Lauren Picard and Anna Painter, sending the game into the second quarter with Villanova up 5-1.
 
Villanova's scoring run stretched to six unanswered by the time the Keydets scored another goal. Gia Donatelli cut into the lead with back-to-back goals in the final three minutes of play in the half. That effort was stopped by Mattocks, netting a shot with 46 seconds remaining to make it a 9-3 Villanova lead at the break.
 
The Wildcats posted eight goals in the third period to all but put the game away. After a pair of VMI goals were added on in the first 6 minutes of the period, Villanova owned the last four goals on the period for a 17-4 lead ahead of the fourth. The scoring streak stood tall in the final period, stretching it out to a eight unanswered goals before Sydney Shettleroe netted a chance as time expired.
 
In net, Gracin Kerry and Abigail Shelby were called upon for six saves in the win.
 
Villanova takes on Wagner on Sunday at the Spiro Sports Center. That game begins at 2 p.m.