VILLANOVA, PA - Despite a strong defensive effort and five goals from senior Alyssa Turza, the Iona College women's water polo team (4-2) fell 14-11 to the tenth-ranked Princeton University Tigers Saturday afternoon in the first of a three-game weekend  at the 2013 MAAC/CWPA Crossover Tournament at Villanova University.

Princeton jumped out to a 3-0 edge early in the first period, before Turza's first two goals, to lead 5-2 going into the second.  Managing only junior Erika Lauraitis' first goal in the second period, Iona trailed 8-3, following three unanswered Tiger scores.

After intermission, the Gaels rallied to outscore Princeton 5-3 on two Turza goals to pull within three 11-8 to begin the final period.  Freshman Meghan Mahoney's goal at 5:49 trimmed Princeton's advantage to 11-9, but three consecutive Tiger scores followed.   In the last 1:27 of play, Turza and freshman Taylor Silva managed single goals against Princeton's highly regarded freshman goalie Ashleigh Johnson for a 14-11 final score.  Junior goalie Marisa Gaynor recorded eight saves against Princeton's strong shooting.

In addition to Turza's five goals, Lauraitis finished with two goals, while junior Amy Olsen, junior Sarah Hanly, Mahoney and Silva scored one goal each.

Revenging a disappointing season-opening road loss, the Gaels beat Harvard 17-14 Saturday evening in the second game of the day.  The Gaels lost 15-12 to Harvard at Cambridge on February 2, but overcame the Crimson's consistent offensive attack to lead at the end of each period, despite two ties in the second and third periods.

After being held to a single goal in the opener, Olsen scored a game-high six goals.  Turza scored three goals, while Hanly, junior Georgina Lee and Lauraitis scored two each.  Sophomore Katie Stelnicki and  Mahoney added one goal each.

Iona winds up the tournament with a 2:30 p.m. Sunday match with George Washington University.