VILLANOVA, Pa. (April 8, 2023) – Down by one at half, Mount St. Mary's women's water polo made a second half push to defeat Villanova 13-10 Saturday on the road. The victory gives the Mount a 2-0 weekend in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play and gives them a 6-5 record in the league.
 
Ana Luisa Cotta was the top offensive provider, scoring five goals. Annefleur ten Bloemendal and Heather Lock added hat tricks. Cotta and Robyn Currie had three assists each, and Lock drew four exclusions on the afternoon. Samantha Bright recorded 15 saves in net.
 
Notorious for fast starts, Villanova burst out to a 3-0 lead and holding the Mountaineers scoreless for over six minutes. Cotta cracked the defense with 1:33 left, and Rebecca Valentine followed suit shortly after to trail 4-2 after one. The visitors made a push in the second quarter, and ten Bloemendal provided a game-tying goal at 5-5. Nova answered to lead 6-5 at the break.
 
The final minute of the third period turned the tide towards the Mount, as Cotta converted twice across a 32 second span. Using the momentum, ten Bloemendal scored twice in the fourth, giving the team the edge the rest of the way. Two more Cotta goals and a final tally from Lock ensured the game remained in the Mountaineers' control.
 
One final weekend of regular season contest are left on the schedule. Mount St. Mary's will face Marist and Siena next Saturday (Apr. 15) in New Rochelle, New York.
 
Mount St. Mary's 13, Villanova 10
 
Team                  1    2    3    4
Mount St. Mary's      2    3    3    5
Villanova             4    2    1    3
 
Goals: Cotta 5, ten Bloemendal 3, Lock 3, Valentine 1, Davis 1

Saves: Bright 15