VILLANOVA, Pa. — The Villanova water polo team defeated LIU 19-12 on Senior Day at the Villanova Swim Complex Sunday. 

The 'Cats (16-7, 3-0 MAAC) are undefeated in MAAC play through three games for the first time since 2019. The win was Villanova's first over the Sharks in program history in the series' 11th game. 

Riley Hull scored seven goals, leading the team, followed by Ella Mattocks with five, Layla Canales and Anna Painter with two and Tippy Maguire, Isabel Foley and Emmie Mallory with one each. 

Sara Withers and Coco Jones and Hull led VU in assists with three each and were followed by Painter and Maguire with two and Canales, Mallory and Foley with one.

Villanova drew 11 exclusions on the day, with Hull leading the way with five. 

Painter led the 'Cats in field blocks with three and Hull had two. 

Withers, Painter, Hull and Tessa Pettit each had one steal. 

The first quarter of the contest was tightly contested, with Villanova leading 6-4. The 'Cats pulled away in the second quarter, taking a 10-6 lead to halftime. 

VU continued its momentum in the third, outscoring the LIU (6-16, 0-3) 7-3 to take a 17-9 lead. 

The 'Cats cruised to their 16th win in the fourth quarter scoring two goals in the fourth to round out the win. 

Gracin Kerry started all four quarters in net, saving 13 in 25 attempts, including three in shorthanded situations. Kerry also picked up an assist and a steal in the contest. 

Up Next

Villanova continues MAAC conference play in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. March 21-22, taking on No. 17 Marist and VMI.