Sept. 24, 2008

Loudonville, N.Y. - The Collegiate Water Polo Association announced today that Siena College has been selected as one of eight schools to compete in 2009 ECAC Championships in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. next year. This marks the first time in program history that the Saints have been chosen to compete in this selective tournament.

"This is a great honor for our program," remarked head coach Ellen Howe. "We are greatly looking forward to this opportunity and hope to bring home a championship for the school."

Siena was selected as the #7 overall seed and is one of five MAAC Water Polo institutions that were chosen for the event. Fellow MAAC squads Marist (#1 seed), Iona (#3), Saint Francis (N.Y.) (#5) and Wagner (#6) also received bids.

The top seeded Red Foxes will host the championships in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. from February 28th to March 1st.

Four of the teams in this year's championship field were automatically selected by virtue of their respective conference tournament finishes last season. The remaining four, including Siena, earned at-large bids.

2009 ECAC Championship Seedings

1.) Marist

2.) Brown

3.) Iona

4.) George Washington

5.) Saint Francis (N.Y.)

6.) Wagner

7.) Siena

8.) Mercyhurst