Villanova, PA - The Iona College Women's Water Polo team continued its 2009 MAAC Conference schedule down in Philadelphia with two games.  In the opener, the Gaels used a four goal third quarter to separate themselves and take a 10-7 win over St. Francis (NY).  It took overtime as the Gaels beat Siena 17-16.

The Maroon & Gold (18-6, 5-1 MAAC) faced the Terriers (7-8, 3-3 MAAC) for the second straight weekend.  Last weekend, the Gaels defeated St. Francis (NY) 14-13.  Through two quarters, Iona was tied with the Terriers at four goals apiece heading into halftime.  The Gaels netted four goals in the third quarter and held St. Francis (NY) to just one goal and grabbed a 8-5 lead.  Each team added two more goals in the final quarter and Iona was able to hold on for the three-goal victory, 10-7.

Mackenzie Mone netted three goals with a steal.  Lauren Peterson added a team-leading four goals with a steal and a kickout drawn.  Maggie Wood continued her strong defensive season with a game-high five steals, an assist, a field block and a goal.  Amanda Brucia had two goals, three steals and a kickout drawn.  Kathleen Link played the full 32 minutes with 14 saves and a steal.

In game two, goals were a plenty as it was 7-4 Iona after the first quarter.  The Saints (9-14, 2-4 MAAC) outscored the Gaels 4-2 in the both the second and third quarter to hold a 12-11 advantage.  The Gaels scored three to Siena's two in the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime.  Amanda Cody scored with 1:06 remaining in the fourth quarter as sister Sam Cody got the steal, gave a perfect lead pass that led to the breakaway goal.  In the first overtime, Iona outscored Siena 2-1 and each team added a goal in the final overtime period with Maggie Wood putting the game-winner in the back of the net with 24 seconds remaining to grab the 17-16 win.

Amanda Cody finished with two goals and three steals.  Wood had three goals and two steals.  Brucia scored a game-high four goals with two kickouts drawn, and a steal.  Mone scored her second hat trick with an assist and a steal.  Meghan Keller had three goals with two steals.  Cecilia Leonard had a goal, four steals, three kickouts drawn and a field block.  Sam Cody added the Gaels' final tally with an assist and a steal.  Peterson handed out four assists with a kickout drawn.  Link finished with 14 saves two steals and an assist.

The Gaels grabbed sole possession of first place in the MAAC Conference as Marist lost to St. Francis (NY) later in the afternoon.  The team also earned head coach Brian Kelly his 196th victory.

Iona returns to the pool on Satuday, April 18 for two MAAC Conference games hosted by Siena College in Loudonville, NY.  The Gaels will face Wagner at 1:00 pm and the host Saints at 5:30 pm.