Poughkeepsie, N.Y. ? Top-seeded Iona College
earned an 11-10 overtime victory over fourth-seeded St. Francis (N.Y.)
College in the first semifinal of the 2009 MAAC Women's Water Polo
Championship, held at Marist College's McCann Natatorium. Meghan Keller scored the game-winner in sudden death overtime.
The Gaels (22-7) put up a four goal first quarter to hold a 4-3 advantage, but the Terriers (8-12) came back with 3-2 second quarter to tie the game 6-6 at the half. The teams each added a tally in the third quarter and with St. Francis (NY) ahead by a goal late, Amanda Brucia scored with 25 seconds left in regulatoin to send game to overtime. In the overtime, each team added two goals to send it to sudden death. Meghan Keller scored the game-cliching goal with just 26 seconds left in third overtime to give Iona the 11-10 win and the opportunity to play for the championship on Sunday.
Brucia visited with a hat trick and four kickouts drawn. Cecilia Leonard also had three goals with an assist. Lauren Peterson netted a pair with two assists and two kickouts drawn. Maggie Wood had a goal, an assist and six steals. Mackenzie Mone also added a goal and an assist with five steals. Amanda Cody had three steals and a kickout drawn. Kathleen Link had 10 saves in the win. The victory was the 200th in the program's history.
The Gaels will play the #3 Marist (17-13) in the Championship Game at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Red Foxes defeated #2 Wagner College (16-12) in the second semifinal 7-6.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT SD Final
St. Francis (NY) 3 3 1 1 2 0 10
Iona 4 2 1 1 2 1 11
