VILLANOVA, PA – La Salle women's water polo (10-5, 1-2 MAAC) dropped a competitive 12-10 contest to No. 20 Wagner (9-10, 2-1 MAAC) in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference matchup on Sunday afternoon at the Villanova Swim Complex. 

Junior center Samara Eschleman powered the La Salle attack with a game-high four goals on eight shots and added one assist and one steal. 

Freshman attacker Nadya Azzopardi contributed across the stat sheet with two goals, two assists, one steal and a blocked shot.

Claire McCulloch, also a freshman attacker, tallied two goals, one assist, and two steals. Junior attacker Martina Bonet Saez added one goal, two assists, and two steals. 

Senior attacker Grace Smith provided an assist in the first quarter, recording the 150th point of her career.

Freshman utility Kira Braun also netted a goal and recorded an assist. 

In goal, junior Lily Kirby anchored the defense with eight saves on 31 shots faced, including her 550th career save in the fourth quarter.

Wagner opened the first quarter strong, building a 5-1 lead before the Explorers responded with five unanswered goals to take a 6-5 lead late in the second quarter.

After being tied at six at the break, each team kept pace in the third, with both sids netting two goals. Entering the fourth quarter tied at eight, Wagner outlasted the Explorers in the final frame to pull away and clinch the win. 

La Salle returns to MAAC play against Mount St. Mary's on Saturday, March 21 at 1 p.m. in Poughkeepsie, NY.