Women's Water Polo | April 18, 2021

PHILADELPHIA – #24 Women's water polo captured two wins on Senior Day in convincing fashion. The first, a 17-12 victory over #23 Iona, saw the Explorers jump out emphatically against the Gaels. The second, a 21-8 win over Siena, yielded the highest margin of victory in program history.
 
La Salle 17, Iona 12
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first quarter was pivotal for La Salle as it scored five while blanking the visitors. 
• Senior Karle Linden began the second period with a goal to make it 6-0. The Gaels then scored their first of the game at the 5:34 mark. Junior Madelyn Koerper answered, followed by two tallies from the visitors, cutting the deficit to 7-3 at the half.
• Koerper and senior Sarah DeFusco each found the back of the net out of halftime to push the lead to six. Although Iona scored four of the next five to narrow the deficit to three goals, senior Madison Martinez and freshman Hannah Woren responded to make it 12-7 heading into the fourth.
• The teams exchanged goals in the final frame with La Salle never allowing Iona to embark on a run. The Gaels came within four, down 14-10 with 3:37 remaining, but goals from Koerper and Martinez put the game out of reach.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Koerper paced all scorers with five goals, followed by the trio of seniors each netting hattricks.
• Martinez was the leading provider with four assists. Woren and Linden each dished out three helpers.
• DeFusco stuffed the stat sheet with two assists, a team-high four kickouts drawn and two blocks.
• Linden also added two steals, tied for second most on the team with Woren and behind only sophomore Shanna Zuanich, who had three.
• Zuanich, Woren and sophomore Sophie Appler were the other Explorers to net a goal in the game.
• In net, sophomore Caitlin Valentine finished with 10 saves on 19 shots and two assists.

 
La Salle 21, Siena 8
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Explorers started fast in the second game, as well, with Appler and DeFusco getting things started. Siena would find the back of the net, countered swiftly by Martinez and Koerper to end the first quarter at 4-1.
• A flurry of Zuanich goals kickstarted the second period as the California native netted a hattrick in the space of two minutes. Sophomore Sofia Curtis and Linden both added on before the Saints could strike again, at which point the scoreboard read 9-2. 
• Three more from the Explorers extended their advantage to double digits before Siena scored to end the half down nine.
• The Saint emerged from the intermission with more fire and the period played out more evenly, the teams splitting the frame 4-4.
• Despite being up 16-7 with eight minutes remaining, La Salle didn't let up. The home side scored three, Siena fired back, and the Blue & Gold buried two more to finish the game with emphasis.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Martinez continued to facilitate the offense for La Salle, especially against the Saints. The number nine provided for seven goals, tying the program record set by Jill DeLisle in 2019.
• DeFusco topped all scorers in this match with five goals, adding three assists. Koerper followed with four strikes.
• Other Explorers with multi-goal games included Zuanich with three, Appler with two and freshman Jaycee Morris with two.
• Also on the scoresheet with a goal was Linden, Curtis and freshman Ali Wagner.
• Zuanich had a hand in a bit of everything. Along with her hattrick, she assisted once and tallied a block, a steal and a game-high four exclusions earned.
• Valentine led in net again with five goals on eight shots, adding two steals.
• Her steals were tied for second most on the team with Martinez and sophomore Charley Stricker. Koerper led all players with four swipes.

UP NEXT

• The Explorers finish their regular season on the road, first at LIU on Saturday and then Villanova on Sunday.