VILLANOVA, Pa. — The Villanova water polo team defeated Salem 22-10 in its season and home opener Friday. 

The win marks the third consecutive season-opening win for head coach Michael Gordon. The 'Cats (1-0) also extended their home winning streak dating back to Jan. 25, 2025 to 11 straight victories. 

VU's 22 goals on the day matched the program's second highest goal tally in history, a feat it has achieved on four separate occasions. 

Emmie Mallory and Ella Mattocks led Villanova on the day with four goals each. Riley Hull, Anna Painter and Coco Jones all picked up three assists.

Gracin Kerry picked up eight saves in the tilt with Rachel Stephens coming in during the final parts of the third and fourth quarters to pick up two saves. Reia Kimi made her collegiate debut in the fourth quarter. 

A back-and-forth affair early, the game was tied at 1-1 and 2-2 within the first five minutes. Painter scored the first goal of the 'Cats season at the seven minute mark. 

From the 3:27 mark of the first quarter, Villanova scored four unanswered goals to take a 6-2 lead into the second. 

The 'Cats pulled away in the second quarter, scoring seven goals to the Tigers' (0-1) one. Mattocks and Tessa Pettit, in her collegiate debut, both scored twice in the period. 

Villanova picked up where it left off in the third quarter, adding six to its tally. Rosie Woodman scored twice, the first goals of her career. 

VU scored three times to Salem's five in the final quarter to round out the 22-10 win. 

Up Next

The 'Cats travel to Providence, R.I. Saturday to take on Indiana at 9 a.m. and hosts, Brown at 4 p.m. in the restructured Bruno Classic.