POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — The Villanova water polo team defeated VMI 20-6 Sunday afternoon to close its MAAC weekend at Marist.
The 'Cats (17-8, 4-1 MAAC) 4-1 start in MAAC play is the program's best five-game conference start since 2005, when the team started 5-0.
The game was the fifth time VU has scored 20+ goals in 2026.
Villanova saw four players score hat tricks on the day —
Catharine McCann,
Layla Canales,
Annika Wise and
Riley Hull.
Ella Mattocks and
Emmie Mallory scored twice, with
Tippy Maguire,
Sara Withers,
Rosie Woodman and
Charlotte Summe rounding the scoring with one goal each.
Canales also had three assists to lead the team and was followed by
Tessa Pettit, Mattocks and Mattocks with two. Hull, Mallory, Maguire, Withers,
Anna Painter,
Isabel Foley, Summe and Wise each had one assist.
McCann and Withers both had three steals to lead the team.
Mattocks drew three exclusions and Maguire, Jones, Painter, Summe, Mallory and Hull all drew one.
The 'Cats controlled the game early, scoring eight goals in the first quarter. They kept the momentum heading into halftime outscoring the Keydets 5-1 to take a 13-4 lead into the break.
Villanova closed the game on a 7-2 run in the second half to close the contest.
Gracin Kerry started the game in net, picking up an assist.
Rachel Stephens saved four in five attempts, picking up a shorthanded goal and an assist.
Reia Kimi rounded out the net minders with 10 saves on 12 attempts with a steal.
Up Next
VU closes regular season MAAC play March 28-29 in Lexington, Va. against Siena, Iona and Mt. St. Mary's.
