POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – La Salle women's water polo (11-5, 2-2 MAAC) stormed past Mount St. Mary's (7-11, 2-2 MAAC), 12-5, in MAAC action on Saturday, highlighted by a record-setting performance from freshman attacker Nadya Azzopardi and a major career milestone for junior attacker Martina Bonet Saez.
Azzopardi erupted for eight goals to break the program's single-game goals record previously held by Explorer great Francesca Co' (seven vs. St. Francis Brooklyn, April 3, 2022). She netted four goals in each half, including three in the second quarter. Azzopardi also added two assists and fired 10 shots to pace the attack.
Bonet Saez also made her mark, scoring her 150th career goal in the third quarter as part of a three-goal, one-assist, and five-steal performance.
Defensively, junior goalkeeper Lily Kirby turned aside 13 shots and added a steal to anchor the back line.
The Explorers took control from the start, building a 2-1 lead after the opening quarter and extending it to 7-4 at halftime. La Salle outscored Mount St. Mary's in every quarter, using a balanced attack and strong special teams play, including two goals on four man-up opportunities.
After pushing their advantage to 8-5 through three, the Explorers put the game out of reach with a dominant fourth quarter, shutting out the Mountaineers and adding four more goals.
La Salle's defense held Mount St. Mary's to just five goals on 19 shot attempts.
The Explorers continues MAAC play in Poughkeepsie on Sunday, March 22, facing LIU at 1 p.m.
