Women's Water Polo | March 21, 2021
MORGANTOWN, W.V. – #24 Women's water polo went 2-0 at the Mylan Aquatic Center on Sunday, defeating McKendree and Gannon in convincing fashion. The Explorers outscored their opposition 36-22, improving their record to 5-2 on the season.
La Salle 16, McKendree 10
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Bearcats held the edge early, leading La Salle 4-3 after the opening period.
- The Explorers found their form across the next two period of play, outscoring McKendree 10-4.
- Leading 13-8 heading into the final frame, the Blue & Gold held off the Bearcats to claim the win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Senior Sarah DeFusco was all over the pool for La Salle, scoring three, assisting three and tallying five steals.
- Sophomore Shanna Zuanich netted a career-high five goals to lead the Explorers.
- Zuanich and DeFusco finished tied for most points in the game with senior Madison Martinez. La Salle's number nine tallied a hattrick and three assists against the Bearcats.
- Also contributing multi-score games were junior Madelyn Koerper and sophomore Sophia Appler. The pair each picked up two goals and two assists.
- Senior Karle Linden enforced her will on the defensive end with three steals, two kickouts drawn and a block.
- Freshman watch: Rookie Hannah Woren also chipped in with a goal and an assist.
- In net, sophomore Caitlin Valentine got the majority of the reps and finished with nine saves on 16 shots.
La Salle 20, Gannon 12
HOW IT HAPPENED
- La Salle started stronger in the second game, jumping out to a 3-1 lead after the first. The teams split the second quarter with four goals each to go into the intermission at 7-5.
- The Blue & Gold jumped out of the gates in the third, netting eight times to Gannon's three to take a commanding 15-8 lead. The Explorers edged out the Knights in the fourth frame to earn their second victory of the day.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- DeFusco led the team in goals this game, striking for four and adding three assists.
- Four other Explorers tallied hattricks against Gannon: Martinez, Linden, Zuanich and Appler.
- For Appler, she also dished out a game-high four assists.
- Linden played an even better defensive game than the last, recording four steals and two blocks. She also added three assists in an all-around performance.
- Koerper also finished with a multi-goal game, scoring twice and assisting twice.
- Woren again led the freshmen with a goal, two assists and two steals.
UP NEXT
- The Explorers start conference play at VMI on Saturday, March 27th. Opening sprint is at 10 a.m.
