MAAC Release
Post-Game Interviews
Championship Game Highlights

Poughkeepsie, NY - In a stunning, back-and-forth contest, the Wagner Water Polo team emerged as Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Champions, after defeating Marist, 9-7. With the win, the Seahawks will be one of ten teams that advance to the NCAA Tournament, which will be announced tomorrow.

Wagner (25-11) had split with Marist in two games this season, but the #1 seed in the MAAC Tournament had to face the Red Foxes in their home pool. Marist, who earned the #2 seed in the tournament, came out ready to play, scoring the games first goal. On the games next possesion, Jess Lundgren (Queensland, Australia / Mountain Creek), who earned the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award scored off of an assist from Megan Rodriguez (Danville, CA / San Ramon Valley), who earned a spot on the All-Tournament team.

After a Marist goal put Wagner down 2-1, Jessica Burdge (Stockton, CA / St. Mary's) scored a goal off of an exclusion, ending the first quarter in a 2-2 tie. The second quarter was much like the first, with both teams battling and ending the half in a 4-4 tie. Rachel Burns (Auckland, New Zealand / Diocesan) assisted the two Wagner goals in the frame, with the two scores coming from Rodriguez and Lundgren.

The tide started to turn in the third quarter in favor of Wagner, as the Green and White created some separation at the end of the quarter. Stacy McGregor (Sinking Spring, PA / Wilson) found Lundgren on a goal midway through the third, and Lily Doerfler (Annapolis, MD / Broadneck) forced a Marist timeout after finding the back of the net from the center position.

The Seahawks held a 7-5 lead at the end of the third quarter, but the attack of the Red Foxes would not quit. On the second posession of the fourth, Marist made it a one-goal game, putting the pressure on Wagner. Rodriguez would answer, putting the lead back up to two with under five minutes left in the game, on a score from Lundgren.

The Red Foxes would make it a one-goal game again with 3:00 remaining in the game, but freshman Emily Riddle (Edmonton, Alberta / Dr. E.P. Scarlett) would not let Marist back in the net for the remainder of the game. After Rodriguez made it a 9-7 game with 1:47 left, Riddle has two tremendous saves on the last two Marist possesions, sealing the deal for Wagner, as the Seahawks became your 2014 MAAC Water Polo Champions.

Next for Wagner, the Seahawks will await the NCAA Selection Show, which will be streamed on ncaa.com on Monday, April 28th at 8:00 pm.

MAAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player
Jess Lundgren, Sophomore, Wagner

All Tournament Team
Jessica Burdge, Junior, Wagner
Megan Rodriguez, Sophomore, Wagner
Jessica Hamby, Junior, Marist
Hannah Levien, Junior, Marist
Amy Olsen, Senior, Iona
Naomi Ng, Sophomore, Villanova