No. 19 Wagner College Takes on No. 18 UC San Diego in the 2017 NCAA DI Women's Water Polo Tournament
MAAC Sports
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The 2017 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Water Polo Champions, Wagner College (24-10, 14-0 MAAC) will face The UC San Diego Tritons (19-14, 3-0 Western Water Polo Association) in the opening round of the 2017 NCAA Division I Women's Water Polo Tournament. The No. 18 Tritons will host the No. 19 Seahawks on Saturday, May 6. The winning team will play the No. 1 overall seed, UCLA Bruins in the first round. This is Wagner's seventh appearance in the national tournament and the most by any MAAC school.
NCAA Championship Schedule
Opening Round, Friday, May 6
First Round, Friday, May 12
Semifinals, Saturday, May 13
Championship Final, Sunday, May 14
Wagner has gone undefeated in MAAC play for two straight season and is currently on a 16 game win streak. In theMAAC Championship final, the Wagner Seahawks beat the Marist Red Foxes 11-7 to claim their fourth consecutive MAAC Water Polo Championship.
MAAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year and Championship MVP, Kimberly Watson scored four goals in the championship game to propel the Seahawks to the victory. Wagner's Franciska Milo-Sidlo and MAAC Defensive Player of the Year Emily Riddle both earned spots on the All-Championship Team. Milo-Sidlo scored two goals in the championship final and Riddle made a total 15 saves throughout the MAAC tournament. Wagner added three members, Erica Hardy, Watson, and Riddle to the All-MAAC First Team. While Elise Begg and freshman Millie Pullyblank were named to the All-MAAC Second Team.
The Seahawks faced the Tritons earlier in the season and the Seahawks came away with an 8-7 victory. Erica Hardy registered five points (three goals, two assists), while Watson and freshman Jacqui Sjogren both scored twice. Throughout the entirety of the season, Wagner remained nationally ranked in the Collegiate Water Polo Association's Top 25 National Poll, ranking as high as No. 17th.