Women's Water Polo | February 19, 2020

PHILADELPHIA – Women's water polo continues its road trip with three matches this week. The Explorers start at #19 Princeton Thursday night and then travel to Poughkeepsie for the Red Fox Invite on Saturday, taking on #18 Wagner and RV Brown.
 
ABOUT THE EXPLORERS

• La Salle has split its last two weekend 2-2 each, most recently collecting a pair of wins at the Mercyhurst Invite over McKendree and Gannon. Its record stands at 5-6 overall.
• Junior Sarah DeFusco remains the Blue & Gold's most potent offensive threat, netting 15 goals at the latest Invite. Her season total now sits at 52 points (40 goals, 12 assists), while she also leads the team in steals with 16.
• Speaking of defensive effort, junior Karle Linden goes into the week having just earned MAAC Defensive Player of the Week for her efforts in Erie. Linden recorded nine steals and four blocks over those four games and leads the team in blocks (14) this season.
• Fellow junior Jillian DeLisle has acted as the team's main provider this season with 39 assists—16 of which came last weekend.
• If it's not DeFusco scoring or DeLisle dishing, offense is most likely coming from their classmate, Madison Martinez. La Salle's number nine is second on the team in goals (22), third in assists (13) and third in points (35).
• The freshman class has made its impact this season. Sophie Appler, Shanna Zuanich and Casey Malone have combined for 25 goals, 22 assists, 14 steals, 20 exclusions earned and eight blocks.
• In net, rookie Caitlin Valentine has recorded 68 saves and a .398 save percentage, adding six steals.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS

• The Tigers have begun their campaign with a 4-3 record and 2-1 at home.
• Princeton is led in front of goal by senior Amy Castellano who has 11 strikes this season.
• In net, junior Marissa Webb has 48 saves and 48 goals against in 168 minutes played.
• Game time: Saturday, 7 p.m. (ESPN+).

SCOUTING THE SEAHAWKS

• Wagner's season has gotten off to a 9-5 start with only one loss coming to a team outside of the top ten in the nation. It has won its sole victory in conference play.
• The Seahawks boast plenty of firepower with five players over 30 points this season. Sophomore Sofia Diaz Alvarez is the biggest threat, having tallied 40 goals and 30 assists in 2020. Junior Malia Josephson follows with 58 points (37 goals, 21 assists), then its freshman Abbey Simshauser on 53 points (32 goals, 21 assists).
• Game time: Saturday, 11:45 a.m.

SCOUTING THE BEARS

• Brown is 7-1 so far with its only loss coming to Wagner last weekend.
• Three Bears have multi-goal games: Katie Klein (17), Katie Dvonch (15) and Claire Pisani (14).
• Dvonch is also second on the team in assists with 10. Cari Perez leads all of Brown's providers with 23 and, with nine goals, has the most points on the team.
• Game time: Saturday, 4:45 p.m.