EMMITSBURG, Md. (March 23, 2024) – Mount St. Mary's women's water polo set a game record for goals in a 24-11 win over Siena, and Ana Luisa Cotta posted an individual accolade with a program best eight goals in the contest. The victory against the Saints forges a split for the day, as the team also fell in an earlier contest to Iona.
 
Mount St. Mary's is 12-10 on the year and 2-3 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) with the results.
 
Cotta was not only effective but efficient in the Siena game, posting eight goals on nine shots. The senior also assisted on four teammate goals and swiped four steals from the Saints. For the afternoon, Cotta scored 10 times when factoring in the two earned against Iona.
 
Rebecca Valentine scored six times to match her season high for a game, and Heather Lock recorded five assists in the victory, part on an eight assist, four steal day. Hannah Keyser finished with 12 saves, including nine versus Siena. Anna Kegel added a hat trick in the Saints contest, reaching the mark for the fourth time in five games.
 
The Mount raced to a 5-0 lead in their win with Cotta securing an early hat trick. Keeping a healthy advantage, they rode the momentous wave to an 11-6 halftime score. Valentine and Cotta then tag teamed to score seven times in the third quarter, with a Taylor Wilson shot chipped in at the horn. Wilson scored again to kick off the fourth as the Mount roared to the finish line with another six goals.
 
In the 14-9 defeat, Mount St. Mary's was unable to dig out of an early hole. Down 13-8 entering the fourth, the Mount defense did its part to try and incite a comeback, but Iona countered with a strong stand of their own to preserve their win.
 
Home games await next Friday (Mar. 29) when the Mountaineers host Siena and Marist. Game times are 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
 
Iona 14, Mount St. Mary's 9
 
Team                  1    2    3    4
Mount St. Mary's      2    3    3    1
Iona                 5    4    4    1
 
Goals: Cotta 2, Valentine 2, Kegel 2, Vieira 1, Davis 1, Radaelli 1

Saves: Keyser 3
 
Mount St. Mary's 24, Siena 11  
 
Team                  1    2    3    4
Mount St. Mary's      6    5    7    6
Siena                 1    5    3    2
 
Goals: Cotta 8, Valentine 6, Kegel 3, Radaelli 2, Wilson 2, Vieira 1, Currie 1, Lock 1
 
Saves: Keyser 9