VILLANOVA, Pa. – Water Polo was able to fend off the RV Iona Gaels by a score of 16-14 to conclude the first day of their home MAAC weekend undefeated and stay unbeaten in their nine games at home in 2025.
The 'Cats held off a 6-2 run that extended over the span of six minutes between the third and fourth quarters to capture a win on Senior Night.
Pregame, the Wildcats honored seniors Amelia Baca, Emma Grabenstetter, Adrienne Grimes, and Emily McKenzie for their valuable contributions to the program in and out of the pool. They are the winningest players in program history, being part of 73 wins and counting, as well as 23 in MAAC play.
Riley Hull and Anna Painter combined for 9 of the Wildcats' 16 goals, with two seniors, Grimes and McKenzie, also tallying one apiece. All four of Painter's goals came in the final 12:33 of the game.
Villanova started quick, scoring five in the first quarter to the Gaels one. Ella Mattocks scored on her first two shots of the game on backhands. Grimes scored from long range, and Hull scored her first two of the contest.
Iona made things interesting in the second stanza, scoring three in a row over the first four minutes. VU was able to answer back trading goals back and forth for the rest of the period. Tiffany Maguire found an angle to score, and Hull netted goals three and four to help the 'Cats enter the break leading 8-6.
Starting the third quarter, there was a 10-minute stoppage due to conversations about calls made on the sprint and ensuing jump ball, which Iona ended up securing, their third of four sprint wins on the day.
Despite Villanova being awarded the ball after a yellow card issued to the Gaels and Iona's goalie saving a 5M attempt, the visitors were unable to capitalize on their momentum, as after they scored with 7:32 remaining, Villanova pulled away, scoring three in a row on goals by Hull, Canales, and Painter, tallying her first.
After the Wildcats' entered the final two minutes up by four with a score of 12-8, Iona went on a 5-1 run, knotting things up at 13 with 3:53 remaining in the final quarter. McKenzie, Painter, and Hull scored the next three goals, icing the game for Villanova.
A goal by Iona's Olivia Weissman with 13 seconds left gave Villanova the ball to wind the clock out and claim victory.
Gracin Kerry held strong in net, recording 13 saves. She is now tied for fourth in program history with Maddi Moore '14 with 459 career saves.
FAST FACTS
This is the second season in a row that the Wildcats have beaten Iona twice.
Michael Gordon is 17-1 at home in his career and 9-0 on the season, with his only loss coming to La Salle last season. He currently holds second place for home wins in a career and is five wins behind Allyson Gillespie for most in the tenure of a VUWP head coach.
Their nine home wins this season break a record for most in a season; the former mark was eight, set in 2000 and matched in 2024.
UP NEXT
Villanova will face off against La Salle tomorrow, Sunday, April 6, at 5:00 P.M.
STREAMING
The finale of Villanova's games this weekend against La Salle will be able to be streamed through Flo Swimming. Specific links for each matchup are located in the team schedule.
SOCIAL
For all the latest updates surrounding the program, follow Villanova Water Polo on Instagram @novawaterpolo and X (formerly Twitter) @nova_waterpolo.
