EMMITSBURG, Md. (January 28, 2024) – Women's water polo begins the 2024 season with a 3-1 record, defeating Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) challenger Iona on the Sunday features in a weekend at Villanova.
 
The trio of Rebecca Valentine, Ana Luisa Cotta, and Heather Lock had the most goals for the team with five apiece. Valentine registered four in the Iona win and Cotta added a hat trick in the Villanova game. Goalkeeper Olivia Fernie finished with seven saves in the victory over the Gaels.
 
The Mountaineers battled against the Gaels after falling 6-5 at halftime by scoring five goals in the third quarter to take the lead. They held on by holding Iona to a single goal in the fourth quarter for the win. In the Villanova contest, the Mount got shut out in the first quarter and stayed within striking distance but fell short in the end.   
 
Mount St. Mary's heads to Virginia Military Institute for their second weekend. The team faces Mercyhurst and Gannon, along with McKendree and an exhibition with Toronto.
 
Villanova 12, Mount St. Mary's 11  
 
Team                  1    2    3    4
Mount St. Mary's      0    3    4    4
Villanova             2    3    4    3
 
Goals: Cotta 3, Lock 2, Vieira 1, Currie 1, Valentine 1, Kegel 1, Van Kerckhove 1, Radaelli 1

Saves: Keyser 1
 
Mount St. Mary's 13, Iona 10
 
Team                  1    2    3    4
Mount St. Mary's      4    1    5    3
Iona                  3    3    3    1
 
Goals: Valentine 4, Lock 3, Cotta 2, Davis 2, Currie 1, Thompson 1

Saves: Fernie 7