CLAREMONT, CA - The Iona College women's water polo team split its first two contests at the Lancer Invite in Claremont Friday. In game one, Iona was defeated by No. 13 Indiana 14-6. In game two, the Gaels recovered to defeat Azusa Pacific 19-8.
Against Indiana, senior
Maggie Wood was the leading scorer, picking up three goals. She also drew three kickouts and had two steals. Freshman
Amy Olsen had two goals and drew three kickouts. Junior
Mackenzie Mone had the final Iona goal. On defense, she had a steal and field block. Senior
Sam Cody had two steals. In net, senior
Kathleen Link had eight saves and two steals.
"Indiana is one of the best teams in the country," said head coach
Brian Kelly. "We didn't do enough offensively in quarters two and three. It was a one goal game after the first when we were moving and playing team offense. We stopped moving and you can't do that against a great defensive team like Indiana."
Against Azusa, Mone had five goals and two steals to lead the Gaels. Junior
Cecilia Leonard had three goals and two assists, along with a steal and field block. Wood had two goals and a steal. Sophomore
Alyssa Turza had three goals with Olsen contributing two goals and two steals. Freshman
Erika Lauraitis had two goals. Sophomore
Lauren Scheetz had a goal and an assist. In one half of action, Link had six saves and two assists. Sophomore
Juliana Kiesselbach had six saves and an assist in the second half.
"A solid team effort against a talented Azusa team that's played very tough all year," commented Kelly.
The Gaels conclude the Lancer Invite Saturday, beginning with Redlands at 3:45 pm and La Verne at 6:15 pm.