No. 3 Wagner women's water polo defeated No. 2 Villanova, 12鈥�11, to secure a spot in the 2026 MAAC Championship game. The tightly contested semifinal featured multiple lead changes, with Wagner holding a significant edge late in the game. Junior Maylen Sampedro Tarela scored four goals, while Catherine Mentz contributed three. Wagner will face No. 1 Marist, who previously defeated La Salle, in the championship match on April 12.

By the Numbers
  • Wagner scored four goals in the fourth quarter and held Villanova scoreless in the final moments.
  • Wagner holds a 9鈥�1 record against Marist in MAAC Championship games.
State of Play
  • Wagner has now reached the MAAC Championship game for the 19th time.
  • Marist enters the game as the top seed, having gone 8鈥�0 in MAAC play this season and defeating La Salle 11鈥�6 in the semifinals.
What's Next

Wagner aims for its third consecutive MAAC Championship title against Marist, marking the 57th meeting between the teams. Winning would give Wagner its 13th overall title.

Bottom Line

Wagner's victory sets the stage for a crucial championship showdown, highlighting their resilience and historical success in MAAC play. The outcome against Marist could solidify Wagner's dynasty in the conference.