Loudonville, NY - The Iona College women's water polo stormed into Loudonville, NY this weekend and won their way to the finals with impressive wins over Utica and Gannon on Saturday. In the finals, the Gaels (3-3) faced the host, Siena, and battled throughout and pushed the game to overtime then scored twice in overtime to claim the title, 9-8.

The game was tied at 2-2 after the first quarter but the Gaels edged ahead and took a 4-3 lead into halftime. The Saints (4-6) came out of the locker room and took the lead 6-4 with a quarter left to play. Iona though got three straight goals from Lauren Peterson in the fourth quarter and Siena added one to tie the score at 7 at the end of regulation. In the overtime period, the Maroon and Gold scored twice with Amanda Brucia netting one and Megan Keller putting in the game-winner with 35 seconds remaining and the Gaels claimed the Siena Invitational Title for the third time in the last four years. "This game was starters against starters," said Head Coach Brian Kelly. "Our starters stepped up and played tremendous defense to help us pick up the win."

Brucia was named Tournament MVP finishing with four goals, three assists, two steals and two kickouts drawn in the championship. Peterson had four goals of her own to go along with four steals, two kickouts drawn and an assist. She was also named to the All-Tournament First Team. "She has tremendous skills," said Kelly of Peterson. "She played last season hurt and also turned into a play maker more than a scorer. This year, she is healthy and able to play more of her position, which is her strength." Joining her on the first team was rookie Goalie Kathleen Link who stopped 12 shots. "[Link] made some big saves and if you're going to win a tournament, you need some big saves from your goalie," commented Kelly. Of her play to this point, Kelly said that Link is "nowhere near where's she going to be at the end of the season. She played her best when the game was on the line."

Amanda Cody, who had two steals, two kickouts drawn and a field block, was named to the All-Tournament Second Team with rookie Maggie Wood. Meghan Keller added a goal, an assist and kickout drawn.

The Gaels return to the pool and head to California for seven games beginning next Thursday, March 6. Iona will face Concordia (CA.), Cal Baptist, and Occidental and will take on Fresno Pacific, Redlands, Cal State San Bernadino, Pomona at the Lancer Invitational.

1st Team:
Amanda Brucia***        Iona
Lauren Biehle        Siena
Annie Greenhill        Gannon
Maria Apablasa        Villanova
Lauren Peterson        Iona
Jackie Crosby        Siena
Kathleen Link (Goalie)    Iona

2nd Team:
Carla Martinez        Villanova
Lauren Garrigan        Siena
Gina Guevara        Siena
Amanda Cody        Iona
Kaitlin Hansen        Gannon
Maggie Wood        Iona
Lisa Reilly (Goalie)        Siena