March 18, 2012

Siena water polo made the most of the final day of their spring break trip, snapping a seven-game losing streak with two wins at the Michigan Invitational in Ann Arbor. The Saints defeated Gannon 12-11 in a double-overtime thriller before topping Notre Dame (OH) 16-7.

The day's first game was close throughout. Siena (5-13) did not lead from the 5:20 mark in the second period until late in the fourth quarter, when Rebecca Robinson gave the Green and Gold a 10-9 lead with 51 seconds remaining. However, Gannon scored on the team's next possession, which proved to be the last goal of regulation.

Neither team scored in the first overtime period, but the Saints scored twice in the second extra period. Katie Ness scored the game-winner with 29 seconds to go off a pass from Traci Robertson after a Gannon ejection drawn by Lea Allen gave Siena a 6-on-5 opportunity. The win was Siena's second over Gannon this season, and their first victory since the team swept Villanova and Utica at home earlier this month.

The second game saw the Saints jump out to a 5-1 lead in the first period. However, Notre Dame (OH) kept at it, and trimmed the gap to 10-7 in the middle of the third. Siena, though, kept their opponents scoreless for the remainder of the game while tacking on six more scores in the final 10 minutes. Robinson and Allen led Siena's offense with four goals apiece, while Stephanie Bundas added three.

Siena returns east following the Michigan Invitational's conclusion, and will begin MAAC play with four games this weekend at Marist and Iona.