La Salle Goalie Jacob Klingsberg (photo: La Salle University Athletics)
PHILADELPHIA- La Salle University’s men’s water polo team matched up against Villanova last Wednesday night at the Explorers’ home arena. The last time the two teams met was a month ago at La Salle’s opening night for the team’s inaugural season. The result ended in the blue and gold’s favor 20-5 and they were looking to finish the same way.
With captain Owain Llewellyn sidelined with a concussion, Jacob Klingsberg took the starting position in goal.
Just under a minute in, Villanova scored to go up 1-0 early into the game. La Salle followed up with three consecutive shots hitting the post. But, with four minutes left to play Freshman Alex Pitcher scored to put the Explorers on the board.
The final two minutes of the first quarter were high scoring- two consecutive goals by Villanova put them up by two before La Salle scored twice courtesy of Joey DeFusco and Alex Pitcher. Klingsberg made a huge save in the final seconds of the first to ensure the teams to remain even at 3-3 going into the second.
La Salle's Joey DeFusco helps lead his team to victory against Villanova (photo: La Salle University Athletics)
The second quarter began with three goals from the Explorers (Keegan Reilly, Joey DeFusco, and Luke Cionci) followed by a Villanova goal. Tom Del Conte scored the blue and gold’s fourth goal of the quarter to put the Explorers up 7-4 by the end of the first half.
The Explorers picked up right where they left off at the start of the second half, scoring three straight goals, including Alex Pitcher’s third of the night. Villanova would score twice in the third quarter and once again in the fourth, hoping to push a comeback.
But, La Salle would take their second victory against Villanova with a final of 10-7.
La Salle finished up their MAWPC conference play with two wins and now only have one game left in their inaugural season. They will host Mercyhurst at Kirk Pool, this Friday at 6:00 p.m.