ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College water polo team opened the 2025 season with a hard-fought battle against Division I VMI in the first game of the Macalester Invite Friday night at Riley Pool. The Scots ultimately lost, 14-13 to the Keydets, who are now 4-1 on the season.

Macalester started well, getting two goals from junior Alana Nadolski (Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood) and another from junior Jess Palmer-Sammons (Half Moon Bay, Calif./Half Moon Bay) to build a 3-1 lead. VMI tied it up with two goals by the end of the first quarter, then tallied the first goal of the second quarter to lead, 4-3. The teams exchanged goals, with Hannah Fasi (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani School) scoring for the Scots before Macalester registered the next three goals for a 7-5 advantage. Nadolski, senior Brooke Geel (Meriden, Conn./Hoplins School) and junior Lorelei Bell (Encinitas, Calif./San Dieguito Academy) scored for the Scots.

The lead grew to 9-6 before the Keydets scored the next three goals to tie the score at 9-9 early in the third quarter. VMI was able to outscore Macalester, 5-2 in the third quarter to lead, 13-11. Fasi notched the first goal of the fourth quarter, but the Keydets answered to restore their two-goal edge. Senior Olivia Dimka (Denton, Texas/John H. Guyer) scored with six seconds left, but the comeback fell short.

Nine Scots found the net, with Nadolski scoring three times and Fasi and Dimka scoring twice. Junior goalkeeper Jayden Kratt (Palo Alto, Calif./Henry M. Gunn) registered 12 saves in goal for Macalester.

The Macalester Invite continues on Saturday, Feb. 15 for the Scots, who face McKendree at 2:30 p.m. and Caltech at 7:00 p.m. at Riley Pool.

Click here to view the Macalester Invite tournament website.

MAC – 3 6 2 2 - 13
VMI – 3 5 5 1 - 14
Macalester goals: Nadolski 3, Dimka 2, Fasi 2, Palmer-Sammons, Bell, Matlin, Geel, Gaisser