CLAREMONT, Calif — The Villanova water polo team split its final games at the Convergence Tournament, beating Fresno Pacific before falling to No. 3 USC Saturday.
After defeating the Sunbird (5-10) 14-5, the 'Cats (13-7) advanced their win streak to six, the longest win streak since a six-game streak from Feb. 9-March 1, 2025.
The streak ended against the Trojans (15-1) after an 18-5 defeat.
Starting the day against Fresno Pacific, the VU offense put on its sixth consecutive double-digit scoring performance, led by
Riley Hull, who had eight points (four goals, four assists) in the contest.
Layla Canales,
Sara Withers,
Anna Painter and
Ella Mattocks scored twice, while
Annika Wise and
Emmie Mallory rounded out the scoring, both netting one goal.
Villanova had 13 steals in the contest, led by Tessa Petitt with four and
Rosie Woodman with three.
Hull and Painter drew two exclusions each and were followed by
Tippy Maguire, who drew one. Maguire,
Catharine McCann and Painter all recorded one field block on the day.
The Sunbird hung around in the first half taking a 6-3 deficit into the break.
Villanova pulled away in the second half, scoring five in the third and three in the fourth and took the 14-5 win.
As was the case in four games on the weekend,
Rachel Stephens and
Reia Kimi split duties in goal. Stephens started the first half, saving two in five opportunities before Kimi took the second half, saving four in six attempts.
Against its highest-ranked opponent yet this season, Villanova fell to USC in its weekend closer.
Mattocks led the team with two goals and was followed by Maguire, Painter and Pettit with one.
Coco Jones, Withers, Painter and Mallory picked up one assist each in the contest.
Hull led VU in steals with two and Canales, Withers,
Isabel Foley and
Charlotte Summe each had one.
Hull drew five exclusions to lead the 'Cats with Mattocks drawing two and Withers, Painter and Pettit drawing one. Hull and Mattocks both scored a five-meter attempt.
McCann and Jones both recorded one field block.
VU held its first and only lead of the game in the first quarter, going up 3-2.
The Trojans took control in the second quarter, outscoring VU 7-1 to take a 9-4 lead into halftime.
USC continued to roll in the second half, scoring nine to Villanova's one and taking the 18-5 victory.
Stephens and Kimi once again split responsibility in goal. Stephens saved two in 11 attempts and picked up a steal. Kimi saved six in 15 attempts and also recorded a steal.
Up Next
VU begins MAAC conference play March 11 against Big Five opponent, La Salle. The matchup will take place in Philadelphia in a midweek tilt.
