Edison, N.J. - The 2012 Water Polo Championship begins this weekend, April 28-29 at the Marist College Natatorium in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

The first semifinal matchup features top-seeded and defending champion Iona College against fourth-seeded Villanova University at 1 p.m. on April 28. It is the first time the Wildcats have played in the tournament since 2007. But, they face a tough challenge in No. 20 Iona, who has outscored Villanova 28-7 in their two previous meetings this season. The Gaels hope to earn a second-consecutive MAAC Water Polo title and third overall.

Second-seeded Marist College and third-seeded Wagner College will continue their regular season battle at 3 p.m. in the second semifinal of the day. The Seahawks won the first game in the closely contested series on Feb. 29 by a score of 10-9. Marist got their revenge in the second matchup, winning 8-7 in an overtime thriller on April 14.

The championship match will take place on Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m. The winner of the championship will receive the MAAC's automatic bid to the 2012 NCAA Division I Water Polo Championship.

Fans can purchase tickets to the 2012 Water Polo Championship through TicketLeap. 

Fans can also watch a live broadcast of the championship awards banquet on MAAC.TV. The event will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 27. The banquet is available free of charge.