POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — The LIU women's water polo team is headed to the NCAA Women's Water Polo Championship for the first time in program history.

The third-seeded Sharks won the MAAC title and ended top-seeded Wagner's 100-game winning streak against conference opponents with a 13-12 overtime win in Sunday's championship game.

"I think it just comes down to heart. Really," coach Gabby Juarez said. "These girls wanted it so bad. We never believed we were going to lose."
 
LIU overcame a three-goal deficit in the final three minutes of regulation, drawing even at 11 on Paola Dominguez-Castro's 32-meter shot with 26 seconds remaining after Wagner turned over possession on a shot-clock violation.

The Sharks then had a chance for the win in the final seconds of regulation, but Kate Hinrichs' would-be game-winner was deemed to have gone in after the buzzer.

No matter. LIU took care of business in overtime.

Leading 12-11 in the first extra session after a goal from Jessica Dean, goalie Julia Zebak stopped a five-meter penalty shot and Dominguez-Castro immediately answered with a goal at the other end to stake the Sharks to a two-goal lead.

Wagner clawed within 13-12 and had possession after a timeout with 60 seconds remaining in the second OT period, but LIU withstood that push.

Dominguez-Castro finished with five goals.

"This is everything she ever wanted," Juarez said. "She's just an exceptional athlete. When she gets into a system and we're able to play around her and she's able play around her team, something magical happens."

As for Zebak stopping a pair of 5-meter shots in the championship game, Juarez added: "Julia just showed up so big today. I'm just so proud of her."

 LIU became the first No. 3 seed to win the MAAC championship since 2009.

Wagner had won the last seven MAAC titles in which it had competed. The Seahawks' last loss to a MAAC opponent came on April 11, 2015.

Elena Camarena was named tourney MVP. Dominguez-Castro and Zebak were named to the all-championship team.

The NCAA Women's Water Polo Championship will be held May 10-14 at Pacific in Stockton, Calif.