Riverside, CA- The Iona College women's water polo team split their first four games on their weekend trip in California. The Gaels (5-5) fell to Concordia(CA) 8-7 in OT and #20 Cal Baptist 13-7. The Maroon and Gold responded dispatching Freno Pacific 15-8 and Redland 8-7 in OT.
In the opener on Thursday, Iona faced off against Concodia (CA) and were tied at 4-4 after the third and 6-6 heading into overtime. In the extra session, the Eagles outscored Iona 2-1 and took and 8-7 win. The Maroon and Gold missed a penalty shot in overtime that would have tied the game. Maggie Wood drew five ejections, two were 5M penalties and added a goal and three steals. Amanda Brucia had a goal, two kickouts drawn and a steal. Amanda Cody netted a goal, 2 steals and a kickout drawn, Alciai Keating had a goal, Megan Byrnes and Amanda Anastasio each netted a goal and rookie keeper Kathleen Link had 10 saves in the defeat.
The Gaels jumped right back in the water against #20 Cal Baptist and suffered the same results. The Lancers broke out to an early lead and never looked back downing Iona 13-7. The Gaels were again led by Wood with three goals, two steals and a kickout drawn. Brucia netted a pair of goals, a steal and kickout drawn and was followed by Keating with goal and Amanda Cody with a goal and kickout drawn. Peterson added to her total for the weekend with two assists, four kickouts drawn and converted on a penalty shot. Link stopped six shots and had two steals in the loss.
Iona was anxious to get a victory and their wish was granted in a 15-8 win over Fresno Pacific. The Sunbirds couldn't keep up with Iona who was led by Peterson with six tallies. Brucia amd Wood each added a pair of goals as Brucia also had one asstist and a kickout drawn and Wood added an assist of her own. Stephanie Klocke and Amanda Anastasio each have a goal and an assist. Mollie Regan has one assist. Link added eight saves ans four steals in the victory.
The Gaels looked to draw their record to .500 heading into the weekend as they faced Redlands. The Maroon and Gold trailed 6-4 with 1:47 left in regulation and Iona scored and found themselves down by one and then tied the scored up with 30 seconds remaining. In the overtime, Amanda Brucia scored a breakway setup by Amanda Cody and the score was tied up at 7-7. Lauren Peterson netted the game-winner for the Gaels on a 6-on-5 power play to take the 8-7 overtime win. Brucia finished with four goals, three kickout drawn and three steals. Peterson had three assists, Anstasio scored two goals and had a steal, and Amanda Cody had a pair of goals, three steals and a kickout drawn. Rookie keeper Link had eleven saves, a season best.
The Maroon and Gold continue their weekend in California against Cal State San Bernadino and Pomona Pitzer on Saturday, March 8 beginning at 2:30 pm PST.
