March 7, 2010
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. The Siena Water Polo team finished with a 2-1 record this weekend in the Fifth Annual Siena Invite here at the Siena Swim Center. The Saints defeated both Mercyhurst and Utica while falling in double overtime to MAAC rival Iona.
With the wins, the Saints improve to 5-12 on the season after the team had begun the season by losing nine of its first 10 games.
Siena opened the weekend on Saturday by defeating Mercyhurst for a second time this season, 11-8. The Saints had previously earned their first win of the year on Feb. 14 against Mercyhurst in the Bison Invitational.
Trailing 2-1 after the first period, the Saints erupted for five second half goals to take a lead it would not relinquish. Devan Ragg led the Saints with a season-high four goals, while senior captain Gina Guevara tallied a two-goal performance. Jennifer Kissel made eight saves in goal to earn the victory.
On Sunday, the Saints began play with a hard-fought 12-10 double overtime defeat to Iona. Trailing 6-5 at the half, Siena out-scored the Gaels 3-0 in the third to take an 8-6 lead, but Iona responded in the final quarter to send the game into overtime, where it eventually pulled out the win.
Siena made the most of its extra-man opportunities, convering on four of their five attempts.
In the finale Sunday, the Saints held off Utica 9-8. Freshman Rebecca Robinson led the way with a hat trick, while classmate Monica Chaviano and junior captain Camille Norman each added a pair of scores. Freshman goalie Stephani Pouder started the game in goal and made seven saves to earn her second collegiate victory.
Siena returns to action Saturday for the start of the two-day Wolverine Invitational in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Saints battle both Gannon (2 p.m.) and host Michigan (7 p.m.) on the opening day.
