Poughkeepsie, NY - The Iona College Women's Water Polo team had two chances to claim the MAAC Regular Season championship on Sunday.  The Gaels took their first step with a 15-5 win over Villanova.  With Marist winning earlier in the day, Iona and the Red Foxes faced for the title with Iona getting the win, 9-5.

The Gaels (21-7, 8-2 MAAC) jumped on the Wildcats (1-26, 0-10 MAAC) with a seven goal outburst to 'Nova's two goals in the first quarter and despite each team adding two goals apiece in the second, Iona's lead was firm at 9-4.  The Maroon & Gold shutout the Wildcats 4-0 in the third and didn't look back adding two more in the final quarter for the 10 goal victory.

Maggie Wood led the way with four goals on four shots and a steal.  Amanda Brucia, who entered the game with 290 career goals, netted a hat trick with a steal.  Lauren Peterson also had a hat trick with an assist.  Amanda Anastasio, Meghan Keller and Mackenzie Mone each added a single tally.  Sam Cody netted a goal with three steals.  Cecilia Leonard had a goal to go along with four steals and an assist.  Mollie Regan handed out an assist with four steals and Caitlin McGregor also had an assist.  Kathleen Link had six saves in three quarters played and Cara George had two saves in the fourth quarter. 

The Gaels and Red Foxes (16-13, 7-3 MAAC), each others biggest rival in the conference were in a close game throughout.  Iona shutout Marist 1-0 in the first quarter and used a 3-1 second quarter to hold a three goal halftime advantage.  The Red Foxes still looked up at the Gaels as the Maroon & Gold used a 3-2 third quarter to push the lead to four goals.  Each team added two goals in the final quarter as Iona claimed a share of the MAAC Regular Season Championship with a 9-5 win.  This is the first regular season championship for Iona since 2004. Iona shares the title with Wagner as the team's had identical 8-2 records in conference.

"The story of the game was Kathleen [Link]," said Head Coach Brian Kelly, who grabbed his 199th career win with sweep on Sunday.  Link set a new Iona single-game record with 20 saves.  The previous record was set in 2001 by Jenny Shoemaker, who stopped 19 in 2001.  Link also added a steal.  Peterson led the offense with four goals and a kickout drawn.  Leonard netted a pair with an assist, two kickouts drawn and a field block.  Brucia added two more goals with a steal and a kickout drawn.  She now has 295 career goals.  Mone had the final tally for Iona.  Keller added an assist and Sam Cody had a steal. 

The MAAC Championships will take place next Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and April 26, at Marist in Poughkeepsie.  Iona is the No. 1 seed, Wagner is the No. 2 seed, Marist is the No. 3 seed and St. Francis (NY) is the No. 4 seed.  Iona will face the Terriers in their first game beginning at 1:00 pm.

                
Villanova    2    2    0    1    5
Iona        7    2    4    2    15

Marist    0    1    2    2    5
Iona    1    3    3    2    9