Women's Water Polo | April 13, 2019

PHILADELPHIA – In a landmark moment for women's water polo, the Explorers recorded the program's first ever home win on Saturday, defeating rivals Villanova 15-13 in overtime. Sophomore Sarah DeFusco paced the team with five goals. Later on, La Salle fell to Wagner 27-6.
 
La Salle 15, Villanova 13
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The two teams traded goals the entire first period, which began when sophomore Madison Martinez opened the scoring. A pattern would develop where La Salle would take the lead and Villanova would answer until the two teams were locked at 4-4 after eight minutes of play.
• La Salle caught fire in the second period, starting the frame on a 4-0 run. The Wildcats would eventually find the back of the net, but DeFusco would reply and restore the Explorers' four goal advantage.
• La Salle's number eight extended that lead to 10-5 to start the third. Villanova would then score three, DeFusco struck for another to keep the visitors at bay—but only shortly. Nova netted two more to end the period and  only trail by a goal.
• The fourth was a low scoring affair and Villanova struck twice to take the lead—the first and only time they would go ahead. Junior Stephanie Morales denied the Wildcats comeback by scoring at the death and sending the match into overtime.
• La Salle summoned all the home pool energy entering extra time and the team decisively finished the game by scoring three straight.

 INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Two vs. the 'Cats: La Salle has now emerged victorious twice this season against Villanova, previously winning on March 24th.
• Putting up the points: Defusco had the high with six points (five goals and an assist), followed by junior Katelynn Kubo and sophomore Jillian Delisle each with two goals and three assists.
• Delisle and Kubo were two of three Explorers to tally three assists in this game, joined by freshman Madelyn Koerper.
• Delisle also made her presence felt on the defensive end with six steals, twice as many as the next closest Explorer, Kubo, with three swipes.
• In goal, Jenny Fermaintt recorded 10 saves while also adding an assist.

 Wagner 27, La Salle 6
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Seahawks demonstrated why they're atop the MAAC by opening up a 9-0 gap to start the game. Martinez would score to make it 9-1.
• Wagner rattled off seven goals to further extend their advantage to 16-1 halfway through the contest.
• The visitors began where they left off by striking first in the third. La Salle would show its mettle, however, by scoring three straight through Delisle, DeFusco and Morales. After that, Wagner responded by netting four of their own, pushing the score to 21-4 after three.
• The Explorers would find two goals in the final frame from Martinez and Morales, but Wagner countered with six strikes to seal the game.

 INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Two Explorers scored multiple goals against the Seahawks as both Martinez and Morales found the back of the net twice.
• Delisle again was the main provider for the Explorers, assisting three times. La Salle's number 15 also paced the team in exclusions earned with three.
• Delisle and Morales led the blue and gold in steals, as the pair recorded two each.

 UP NEXT

• Season finale! La Salle takes the short trip over to Villanova on Sunday to face Siena. The Explorers will look to finish the campaign strongly with a fifth conference win. Start time is 3 p.m.