EMMITSBURG, Md. (March 25, 2022) – The upstart Mount St. Mary's women's water polo team crossed off another milestone Friday, defeating Saint Francis U for their first-ever Collegiate Water Polo Association victory.
 
Rebecca Valentine led the Mountaineers with five goals, followed by Ana Luisa Cotta with four. Cotta also took charge on steals and assists, with five and three, respectively. Valentine – along with multi-goal scorer Naomi Sanders – created numerous 6v5 opportunities by drawing exclusions. The duo combined for 10, led by Valentine with six.
 
Taking the victory required stopping several SFU comebacks. Along with the team's 11 steals was keeper Samantha Bright denying 13 shots from the Red Flash. Bright herself took responsibility for two of those steals.
 
Both teams started strong on the defensive end with one combined goal in the first quarter. Mount St. Mary's took a 4-2 lead at the break but the Red Flash rallied to a 7-7 tie heading into the fourth. Cotta broke the deadlock with a score at the 5:32 mark. Valentine added to the lead one minute later and the Mount retained that cushion the rest of the way.
 
The final CWPA weekend occurs in New Jersey April 2^nd-3^rd. Mount St. Mary's battles Princeton, Bucknell and Michigan.
 
Mount St. Mary's 12, Saint Francis U 10
 
Team                  1    2    3    4
Mount St. Mary's      1    3    3    5   
Saint Francis U       0    2    5    3
 
Mount St. Mary's Goals: Valentine 5, Cotta 4, Sanders 2, Currie 1