NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College men's water polo team fought the good fight, but came out on the short end of a 12-11 decision to No. 14 St. Francis Brooklyn in CWPA North action Wednesday evening at the Hynes Center Pool.

Playing in front of the home crowd motivated the Gaels early, as the squad ran out to a 4-0 lead with 7:06 remaining in the second quarter on a goal by senior Matthew Stelnicki. St. Francis would tally its first goal of the game with 5:05 remaining in the frame, sparking a 4-1 run that would cut the Iona lead to just one, 5-4, at half.

The Terriers would tie the contest with 7:16 left in the third, before taking the lead for good with 4:56 left in the period. St. Francis would gain its largest lead of the contest, 12-7, with 5:08 left in the fourth.

The Gaels would continue to battle though, chipping away at the Terrier cushion.  A goal by junior James Ramaley cut the deficit to four with 4:53 left before Stelnicki scored his second of the game less than a minute later. Junior Kyle Elmore got the Gaels within two with 3:45 left in the contest before his third tally got the Maroon & Gold within one, 12-11 with 2:14 left. Iona would be unable to knot the contest, falling to 2-5 in conference play with the defeat.

Elmore's three goals led the Gaels, while Stelnicki and junior Jake Lloyd had two goals apiece. Seniors Lee Stiles, Sean Davis, Ramaley and junior Ian Thompson each had one tally in the contest.

Iona is back in action next Wednesday, at the Hynes Center, when it hosts Fordham at 7:30 pm.