Marist Magic Women Season Wrap Up

Marist Senior Women continue to rebuild after a spate of retirements following the gold medal winning teams of 2015 and 2016. With a mix of returning and new athletes the team started the season hopeful of at least repeating its national silvers of 2017 and 2018. This year that proved a step too far with the team just missing out on the semi-finals. Marist struggled with absence and illness for the first part of the season and early losses to strong combinations from North Harbour and Waitakere meant Marist needed to win all games to stay in charge of their own destiny. Unfortunately, a brace of one point losses left their fate in the competition hands and a round 11 upset by Atlantis over Waitakere effectively made it impossible to progress to the medal rounds. Regardless of this outcome by season end the team was playing some outstanding water-polo winning three of their last four games, the only loss being a 7-6 defeat, and generally dominating the games. Congratulations to Gabbie Milicich for being named in the tournament team. With the majority of the team expected back in 2020 we have a great base to build on. Farewell for now to long time Marist loyal athlete Caitlin Mary Parker Allen heading off in scholarship to UC Berkeley, and many thanks to Ricci Ferigo in her first year as Capt helping to integrate and gel the youngsters coming through. National honours to team members include Jess Milicich – National Womens Captain, Gabbie Milicich – Junior Women, Abbey Keyte and Chelsea Oliver – Youth Women Tour and Gabryel Oloapu – NZWP Rookie Coach of the Year.