Courtesy: VMI Athletics
LEXINGTON, Va. – Despite five goals from red-shirt senior McKenna Imset, the VMI water polo team fell 19-18 to Villanova University in the second game of the day in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play Saturday in Clark King Pool. La Salle University outscored VMI 19-10 in the opener.
Both visiting schools are listed on the most recent Collegiate Water Polo Top 25 Poll, with La Salle tied for #24 and the Wildcats also receiving votes.
Freshman Rachel Ahumada scored four goals for the Keydets against La Salle and Imset and Kiara Anguiano each had two. Sydney Shettleroe had a goal and two assists while Makenna Moore had a goal and one assist.
Sarah Defusco tallied five goals and one assist for the Explorers (6-2).
Imset found the back of the net with 48 seconds left against Villanova to cut the lead to 19-18 but the Keydets couldn’t get the equalizer. Imset had four of her five goals in the second half, Catherine Ahumada and Anguiano each had hat tricks, while Shettleroe, Gia Donatelli and Zoe Salafatinos each had two scores. Moore had a goal as well. The program’s two seniors, Imset and Salafatinos, were recognized before and after the second match.
Stella Byles had nine goals for the Wildcats (5-2).
VMI (3-7/0-2 MAAC) hosts Siena and Iona College next Saturday at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
