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Wagner College delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in New York college athletics this season, edging top-seeded Marist 14–13 in triple overtime to claim the MAAC Championship. The victory secures the Seahawks’ third consecutive conference title and a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.
In a back-and-forth battle that stretched nearly four full periods beyond regulation, Wagner leaned on clutch scoring and late defensive stops to continue its dominance over Marist in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title game.
Playing inside McCann Natatorium in Poughkeepsie, Marist dictated the tempo early and jumped out to a 3–1 advantage after the opening quarter. Wagner’s lone early breakthrough came from senior captain Magali Ogg, who helped keep the Seahawks within reach.
Momentum began to shift in the second period as Wagner found a rhythm offensively. Ogg connected with Catherine Mentz on a power play just seconds into the quarter, sparking a response that trimmed the deficit. Still, Marist maintained a narrow 5–4 edge heading into halftime, capitalizing on key opportunities to stay in front.
Marist pushed its lead to three goals early in the third quarter, threatening to pull away. Wagner answered with resilience, matching scores and refusing to let the game slip out of reach. Martina Parisi’s timely goal late in the period helped stabilize the Seahawks before Marist carried a 9–7 lead into the fourth.
That set up a frantic final quarter, where Wagner’s offense came alive. Maylen Sampedro Tarela converted a penalty shot, and Ogg delivered multiple crucial goals, including the equalizer that tied the game at nine.
With under a minute remaining, Marist reclaimed the lead, but Wagner responded once again. Freshman Estel Ramon Torrent finished a feed from Mentz with just seconds left, forcing overtime and extending the contest.
The tension only escalated in overtime, where each possession carried season-defining weight. Ana Arias Pérez gave Wagner its first lead of the extra periods, but Marist answered immediately to force a second overtime.
In the following frame, Marist struck first again. Wagner stayed composed, and with just 17 seconds left, Parisi found Maggie Pike to send the game into sudden-death territory.
The decisive moment came after a pair of critical saves by goalkeeper Francesca Sena, who anchored Wagner’s defense throughout the marathon contest. On the ensuing possession, Parisi connected with Mentz for the golden goal, sealing a 14–13 victory and igniting the celebration.
Ogg’s leadership and scoring touch earned her MAAC Championship MVP honors, capping a standout performance in the title match. Mentz and Sampedro Tarela also secured spots on the All-Championship Team after playing pivotal roles throughout the tournament.
Sena’s presence in goal proved just as vital. The senior logged nearly the entire match and made eight saves, several coming in high-pressure moments late in regulation and overtime.
The championship marks Wagner’s 13th MAAC title and reinforces the Staten Island program’s status as a powerhouse in women’s water polo. The current three-peat is the program’s first since its six-year run from 2014 to 2019, another stretch that included repeated wins over Marist.
Wagner’s continued success highlights the region’s growing presence on the national stage in Olympic sports, with student-athletes from the five boroughs and beyond contributing to a championship culture.