Marist, In a COVID Year, Makes it Count with a MAAC Title and 2021 NCAA Women’s Water Polo Berth

For the first time in more than a decade, the Marist women’s water polo team are champions of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Behind four goals from junior Myriam Lizotte and nine saves by Marina Hyham, the host Red Foxes took a 13-10 decision over VMI on Sunday at McCann Natatorium in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Leading the way for the visiting Keydets was Genevieve Petrassi with three goals. Lloyd made six stops to keep the match close; VMI was a decided underdog that advanced to the championship match due to a forfeit by top-seeded Long Island University.

#2 Marist advanced to the final on the strength of a sudden-death win over third-seed La Salle. A golden goal by Shinae Carrington delivered the Red Foxes to the MAAC title match for the fifth-straight time, and fourth time in Head Coach Chris Vitale’s tenure (2017-21).

This just feels awesome,” said Vitale after his team had held on for the win. “This is my fifth year, and it has been the weirdest of them all, but I am super proud of this group for showing up and being present in this process. They have been put through the ringer because of all the question marks and variables that were out of our control this season, so to show up and play our first game with just 45 minutes of practice was exceptional. I'm so proud of this group and everything they have and will accomplish."

It is the fifth title for Marist; the Red Foxes won the MAAC in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Lizotte, a junior from Canada, has waited for this moment almost as long as her coach.

"The MAAC Tournament this year was a fantastic experience,” she said. “We have a lot of freshman and sophomores on the team who have yet to experience a MAAC Championships, so it was great to go out there even with that lack of experience and play well on both ends of the pool. We only played a few games this season, but these two games were the first close ones we have played, so I think this will be beneficial moving forwards. But most importantly being a MAAC Champion feels absolutely wonderful.”

For Hyham, this tournament was exceptionally personal. To advance to the MAAC final, she and her team had to beat #3 La Salle, coached by her father, Tom Hyham. That match—seven periods long—took a lot out of Marist, but Hyham, Lizotte and their Red Fox teammates had just enough to top a well-rested VMI squad.

"The tournament went so well,” Hyham said. “We played so well as a team, and this was key since I'm a goalie I need to rely on my teammates to make up for what I can't do, and we did a great job communicating and it allowed me to excel.”

Referring the impact of the coronavirus, which caused Marist to compete in only eight matches—all wins—this season, Hyham said: “Our team cohesiveness having only been in the pool together for a couple weeks now was amazing. I can't thank my teammates enough. Especially playing in the same tournament with the team that my father coaches, I really needed to rely on my teammates for support and they helped me through all of it. But most importantly, it feels incredibly coming out on top, and it is really indescribable."

The Red Foxes will now wait for the results of the NCAA Women’s Water Polo draw, which will be announced tonight at 8pm. The 2021 championship takes place from May 14th-16th at Spieker Aquatics Center in Los Angeles, CA.