Michael Randazzo, Swimming World Contributor
A couple of first time entrants are looking to make a splash at this year’s NCAAs.
On Saturday both the Pacific and Wagner women’s water polo teams won NCAA play-in games for the first time to advance to Friday’s first round of play in the 2017 NCAA Women’s Women’s Water Polo Tournament.
The #8 Tigers were an 11-5 winner over #25 Pomona-Pitzer at Pacific’s Chris Kjeldsen Pool. The win earned them a date with #2 seed Stanford at 3:30 p.m. on May 12 at Indianapolis’ Indiana Natatorium.
After failing the previous three years to win an NCAA play-in game, #17 Wagner beat #15 UC San Diego 6-5 at Canyonview Aquatic Center.
Next up for Wagner is a match Friday against #1 seed UCLA at 12 p.m. The Bruins boast Olympians Rachel Fattal and Maddie Musselman and captured the MPSF Women’s Water Polo title and top seeding in NCAAs by virtue of a dominating 6-3 victory over the Cardinal and its Olympic duo of Maggie Steffens and Makenzie Fischer.
Fourth seed UC Irvine will battle Cal at 1:45 p.m. while third seed USC will face #7 Michigan at 5:15 p.m on Friday. All times are EDT
Wagner head coach Chris Radmonovich, now in his seventh year with the program, was elated with the results, especially after multiple cracks at an NCAA win.
“This win not only means a lot for this team, but for this program as a whole and for the entire Wagner community,” Radmonovich said. “I am extremely proud of this group of young women and the dedication they put in all season long in order to get to this point.”
Seahawk’s Kimberly Watson. Photo Courtesy: Wagner Athletics
As she has all year, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Co-Offensive Player of the Year Kimberly Watson was a difference maker for Wagner The senior from Quebec netted what turned out to be the winning goal when she beat UC San Diego freshman goalie Reilly Gallagher with a minute remaining in the third period.
Up 6-4 in the fourth, the Seahawk defense allowed a lone goal to UC San Diego sophomore Krista Schneider with 2:21 left in the fourth but was able to hold off the host Tritons and capture only the second NCAA playoff win in the history of Wagner Athletics.
Watson contributed a team-high four steals while also winning three sprints. Junior Elise Begg and sophomore Erica Hardy netted two goals apiece for Wagner, while freshman Franciska Milo-Sidlo chipped in a lone goal.
Wagner’s Emily Riddle, the 2017 MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, stopped seven shots while Gallagher turned aside six Seahawk trys.
Senior Lauren Boyer, senior Lani Tittle, junior Kayla Fedler and sophomore Chanel Schilling all joined Schneider on the UC San Diego score sheet with single goals.
NCAA semi-final play will be held on Saturday at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The 2017 NCAA Championship Match will be held on Sunday at 3 p.m.