Poughkeepsie, NY – La Salle women's water polo concluded one of its best season in program history with a hard-fought 11-6 loss to No. 18 Marist in the 2026 MAAC Championship semifinals at McCann Natatorium on Saturday afternoon.
The Explorers end their 2026 campaign with a 14-7 overall record and a 5-3 mark in MAAC play.
Senior attacker Ella Tice was perfect from the field, scoring a career-high three goals on three shots.
Freshman attacker and MAAC Rookie of the Year Nadya Azzopardi added a goal, two assists and a steal, while Martina Bonet Saez contributed a goal, two assists and a season-high seven steals.
In her final game, senior attacker Grace Smith added one goal. Smith ranks eighth in program history with 96 assists and is 10th all-time with 161 points.
Junior goalkeeper Lily Kirby made nine saves on 27 shots faced. Late in the fourth quarter, Kirby surpassed Emma Gursaich for the most saves in program history on her final save of the game. Kirby was also named to the 2026 Water Polo All-Championship Team.
Marist seized early control by shutting out the Explorers through the first two periods, building a 7-0 advantage at halftime.
La Salle regrouped in the second half, erupting for three goals in each of the final two quarters, with Tice leading the rally.
Despite out scoring the Red Foxes 6-5 in the second half, the early deficit proved too large to overcome, as Marist secured the win and a spot in the MAAC title game.
