Villanova women's swimming falls 126-174 to UConn

Villanova's women's swimming and diving team lost its season opener to UConn 126-174 on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Villanova Swim Complex.

The defeat ended a winning streak over the Huskies dating to 2014. UConn had not beaten Villanova in a dual meet since then, according to the Daily Campus, UConn's student newspaper. Last season, the Wildcats handled UConn 186.5-113.5 with 11 event wins, according to Villanova athletics.

Sophomore Anna Kilponen was Villanova's top scorer, winning both butterfly events. She touched in 2:00.80 in the 200 Fly and 54.84 in the 100 Fly, according to Villanova's recap. Senior Anna Farley finished right behind Kilponen in both races, placing second in the 200 Fly (2:03.34) and third in the 100 Fly (56.69).

Carlota Colomer Guasch, the reigning BIG EAST Outstanding Swimmer who won three freestyle events at last year's conference championships, took the 50 Free in 23.97 and placed third in the 100 Free (52.66).

The Wildcats' best team result came in the 200 Individual Medley (IM), where they swept the top three spots for 16 points. Imogen Duffy won the event in 2:05.64. Meghan Tiernan (2:06.39) and Emily Herr (2:06.47) finished second and third.

Herr also reached the podium in both breaststroke events. She placed second in the 100 Breast (1:04.50) and third in the 200 Breast (2:19.54), trading spots with teammate Annie Honkamp, who was third in the 100 (1:05.52) and second in the 200 (2:19.40).

Junior Alana Leen picked up two runner-up finishes in the backstroke events, swimming 56.41 in the 100 Back and 2:01.36 in the 200 Back.

Diving opened the meet. Katie Vaughan scored 239.55 for second on the three-meter board, and Michelle Kasulka placed third (236.85). Kasulka was the runner-up on the one-meter board (222.90).

Villanova also took second in both relay events. The 200 Medley Relay team of Leen, Herr, Kilponen and Colomer Guasch swam 1:43.44. The 400 Free Relay squad of Farley, Leen, Colomer Guasch and Jana Strand closed the meet in 3:30.38.

The Wildcats, who have won 13 consecutive BIG EAST team titles, host Georgetown on Saturday, Oct. 24.