BROOKLYN, NY - The Iona College women's water polo team remained undefeated in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play and clinched the Regular Season Championship with a pair of wins Sunday afternoon in games hosted by St. Francis College. In game one, the Gaels used a five 5-1 third quarter to pull away from Marist and defeat the Red Foxes 11-6. In game two, the Gaels defeated Villanova 11-5.
Against Marist, freshman
Amy Olsen led the Gaels with four goals, two steals and three kickouts drawn. Sophomore
Alyssa Turza continued her strong weekend with three goals. Junior
Cecilia Leonard had two goals, two assists and drew two kickouts. Junior
Mackenzie Mone had one goal, three assists and one steal. Senior
Maggie Wood had three assists, three steals and drew one kickout. Sophomore
Lauren Scheetz had the final Iona tally. Junior
Caitlin McGregor and senior
Sam Cody each had two steals. Senior
Kathleen Link was dominant in net, making 16 saves and picking up five steals.
"Another outstanding game by Kathleen with her 16 saves, said head coach
Brian Kelly. "Our defense has really picked it up at the right time of year. Leonard and Mone were outstanding in the two meter defense."
Against Villanova, Turza led the Gaels with three goals, two steals and drew two kickouts. Cody had two goals to go along with three steals and one field block. Mone had two goals, one assist and five steals on the defensive end. Leonard one goal, three assists and two steals. Wood had one goal and drew one kickout. Olsen had one goal, one assist and two steals. Freshman
Erika Lauraitis had one goal while classmates
Georgina Lee,
Hannah Cross and
Sarah Hanly had one steal each on defense. Sophomore
Juliana Kiesselbach had 13 saves in net for the Maroon & Gold.
"Kiesselbach picked up right where Link left off in the first game with a great game in goal," commented Kelly. "Mone and Cody were all over the pool on both ends and they really set the tone. It's always good to have the number one seed at Championships and it's a nice accomplishment in winning the Regular Season Championship. However, we have much higher goals right now."
The Gaels conclude the MAAC regular season next Saturday with a pair of contest hosted by Villanova. The Gaels take on Wagner at 10:00 am before completing the day with a 2:30 pm tilt with Siena.
