Annapolis, MD - The Iona College Men's Water Polo started off the 2008 season with a
strong weekend at the Navy Open. The Gaels (3-1) took the first two
games against Mercyhurst and Gannon on Saturday. On Sunday, the Maroon
and Gold edged Navy B 14-13 in overtime with three starters and Eric
Lilly, a junior transfer, making his first collegiate start. In game
two, Bucknell (3-1) proved too much as Iona fell 15-9.
Without three starters and Eric Lilly Jr. making his first collegiate
start in goal, the Gaels were able to take Navy's B team to overtime where junior Emre Erdogan and freshman Trevor
Creighton scored and Creighton's goal
hit the back of the net with seven seconds left. Erdogan finished with two goals, three kickouts drawn and two steals. Creighton had a hat trick and drew two kickouts. Nick Velasquez, who had a strong Saturday, netted two goals, handed out two assists, drew three kickouts and had a pair of field blocks. Ed Gronkowski had a pair of goals, a kickout drawn and three steals. Captain Patrick St Cin also had a hat trick, a field block and a pair of steals. Mark DiCola picked up two field blocks while a trio of freshman had strong days. Matt Josyn had his first collegiate assist, Cameron Hudson added his second career goal, and Matt Kolb scored his first. Lilly, the transfer from FIU, picked up his first win in the Maroon & Gold with nine saves and five steals.
In the final game of the weekend, the Gaels faced a tough test against the Bison, who received votes in the CWPA Preseason Poll. Bucknell jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the first and a 10-2 lead at the half. The Gaels had a strong second half with a four goal fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough in the 15-9 loss. Joslyn netted two goals and an assist, Seth Tasman had a goal and an assist and Joe Przekota had a pair of goals and a pair of assists. Creighton finished his day with a goal and three steals while Gronkowski had a goal, a steal and a kickout drawn. St. Cin and Velaquez each had a goal and Eric Konzem had seven saves, two steals and an assist in the loss.
Iona returns to the pool as they head to Princeton, New Jersey for the Princeton Invitational from Friday, September 12th through the 14th. The Gaels will face four ranked opponents in #15 Santa Clara, #14 UC San Diego, #10 Navy, #18 George Washington and Bucknell in a rematch of this weekend's game.
