POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – In their first trip to the conference tournament since 2016, Women's Water Polo took down the No. 2B Iona Gaels by a score of 9-6.
This is Villanova's first victory in the first round of the tournament since April 30, 2005, when they took the Gaels down 7-2, and their first overall win at the event since exactly a year after the prior, when they got the best of Iona in a closer contest, at 9-8.
Riley Hull, Anna Painter, and Ella Mattocks led the way with two goals apiece for VU, while Rachel Stephens had a standout game in the cage, saving 11 shots, the second most shots she has thwarted in a contest in her short career.
Hull's 80 goals now tie for the third most in a season in program history, with Carrie Boyle in 1999.
Villanova jumped out to a 3-0 lead on goals by Mattocks, Layla Canales, and Adrienne Grimes. Canales cashed in off of a 5M attempt after the 'Cats forced Iona to commit a penalty.
Iona was able to answer before the frame ended; however, they had let the Wildcats get out to a hot start.
The two teams traded goals over the first four minutes, scoring within 20 seconds of each other each time, until Villanova extended the lead to three with Sara Withers and Painter tallying goals.
Withers and Painter tied for a team high of three points in the outing.
Hull scored her first of the match in the third quarter and then answered Iona back after the Gaels put a tally on the scoreboard next, making the score 8-4 in favor of Villanova.
Iona was able to put one more in the back of the net against Stephens, but Painter scored once more, icing the game for the Wildcats.
Hull also won a sprint against Lola Trujillo of Iona, who had only lost four of the 69 sprints she had taken this season.
All-MAAC First Team honoree Sadie Sallas led the Gaels with two scores in the game.
FAST FACTS
This ties for the lowest amount of goals scored by Villanova in a win this season at nine, tying the 9-8 victory over Concordia University Irvine on February 28.
The Wildcats last took down Marist in the McCann Natatorium on April 10, 2016, by a score of 7-5.
Villanova's 21st win ties their mark from last season.
UP NEXT
The 'Cats will take on No. 1B Marist University on Saturday, April 26, at 3:00 P.M.
WATCH
The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with Shannon Ventre and Geoff Brault on the call.
SOCIAL
For all the latest updates surrounding the program, follow Villanova Water Polo on Instagram @novawaterpolo and X (formerly Twitter) @nova_waterpolo.
