CAMBRIDE, MA - The Iona College women's water polo team opened its 2011 season this weekend with a trio of games at the Harvard Invite. In game one, the Gaels defeated Villanova 16-5. The Gaels were turned aside 17-7 in the second game by the host Crimson before defeating Boston College's club squad 15-1 in the third and final game.
In the opener against the Wildcats, the Gaels scored nine goals in the first to get a six goal separation after the initial quarter. Each team only scored once in the second and the Gaels held on to their six goal lead heading into the half. Iona outscored 'Nova 6-1 the rest of the way to get to the 16-5 final.
Junior Cecilia Leonard, the reigning MAAC Offensive Player of the Year, had four goals and an assist. Mirroring Leonard's five point effort was sophomore Alyssa Turza, the reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year. Freshman Erika Lauraitis had four assists and two goals to lead the Gaels with six points in her Iona debut. Mutliple goal efforts also came from senior Maggie Wood, two goals and an assist, and freshman Amy Olsen, who also had two goals and an assist. Sophomore Terra Shelton and freshman Sarah Hanly had one goal apiece while sophomore Lauren Scheetz and freshman Hannah Cross each had one assist in the game.
In net, senior Kathleen Link had 11 saves and a steal for Iona.
Against Harvard, Iona's offense couldn't keep up with the Crimson attack. The Gaels trailed 4-3 after one, but were unable to stop the home team as Harvard outscored Iona 5-2, 4-0 and 4-2 in the final three quarters, respectively.
Leonard led the Gaels with three points, all assists, and was unable to find the goal in the contest despite a team high six shots. Olsen also had three points on two goals and an assist, as well as three steals on the defensive end. Wood and Turza each had two goals while Scheetz had a goal and an assist. Lauraitis had an assist and registered five shots.
Link played the first half, making three saves and adding two assists and a steal. Freshman Marisa Gaynor made five saves in second half action.
The Gaels responded to the defeat with a sound victory over Boston College. The Gaels allowed just one first quarter to the Eagles and sailed to the easy victory. Shelton was the top player for the Gaels, racking up six points on three goals and three assists while also picking up seven steals on the defensive end. Lauraitis had three goals and an assist with four steals. Scheetz had four points on two goals and two assists. Hanly had two goals and two steals Cross had a goal and two assists while fellow frosh Georgina Lee had a goal, an assist and four steals. Turza, Leonard and Olsen each had a goal in limited action.
Gaynor played the entirety of the contest in goal, making six saves and picking up three steals.
The Gaels compete next Sunday (Feb. 20) at the Marist Invitational in Poughkeepsie, beginning with a 2:00 pm matchup with Hartwick.
