April 7, 2007

Stats

Villanova, PA -- The Wagner College women's water polo team opened conference play with an offensive barrage as they toppled the Villanova University Wildcats 18-14 to improve to 9-11 (1-0 MAAC) on the season.

The scoring was anchored by sophomore Alexandra Tomlinson (Telford, PA/Souderton) who ran up a career high seven goals to lead the Seahawk attack. Tomlinson wasn't alone as teammates Stacey Travous (New Ulm, MN/Cumberland Valley) and Amber McMichael (Reading, PA/Gov. Mifflin) both tallied hat tricks for the game. Travous added three steals while McMichael chipped in with five assists.

It was a back and forth battle as Wagner turned it on early racing out to a 4-2 lead behind three goals from McMichael. Tomlinson then took over, scoring the last three goals of the first period to put the Green & White up 7-4 after the first. Tomlinson added two in the second, Stacey Travous deposited one, and Billy Hoelck (San Diego, CA/U. of San Diego HS) scored her first goal of the day and Wagner had put on the proverbial cruise control up 11-6 at the half.

However, the third quarter doldrums that have so often plagued Wagner reappeared in this contest as the Wildcats ran off four straight goals to open the second half, drawing the score to just a single goal deficit at 11-10 with 5:25 to go in the third. Wagner countered with consecutive goals by Corrine Travous (New Ulm, MN/Cumberland Valley) to provide some breathing room at 13-10. Villanova would not back down as the two teams split the next four goals and the game moved to the pivotal fourth quarter with Wagner in the lead 15-12.

The fourth quarter opened with Tomlinson capping her career game with a score to put Wagner up by four scores with a little under seven minutes to go. `Nova added two more scores but that would be all as Stacey Travous and Hoelck each scored a goal apiece with under a minute remaining to regain the four goal lead and pull out the win.

Senior Katie Hauck (Pottsville, PA/Pottsville) played the whole game in net as she foiled seven Villanova shot attempts and snatched two steals. Wagner is next in action later this afternoon when they take on defending champion Marist at 1:00 pm.