Report Courtesy of Dr. Jack Breslin

REDLANDS, CA – Coming back from Thursday's disappointing loss to Concordia University, the Iona College women's water polo rebounded with two impressive victories Friday in the 2013 Lancer Invite at the University of Redland's Thompson Aquatic Center.

After revenging an early-season loss with a 20-17 win over George Washington University, the Gaels (7-5) took a late afternoon match 11-6 over Azusa Pacific University.

Senior Alyssa Turza and junior Amy Olsen once again sparked the Gael offensive.   Turza hit four goals, including the Gaels' two opening scores.  Olsen, who is averaging four goals per match on the Spring Break road trip, netted three goals, while dishing out two assists, and blocking two shots.

Picking up two exclusions in the first period, junior Erika Lauraitis still managed two fourth-period goals, after sitting most of the previous two quarters.   Lauraitis has 11 goals in the four California matches.   

Freshman Dana Andrea filled in for Lauraitis by winning two sprints and playing strong defensive, including a steal.  Junior Sarah Hanly and freshman Meghan Mahoney both added a goal.   Junior goalie Marisa Gaynor recorded ten saves in the win.

Turza's two unanswered first-period goals gave Iona a 2-0 edge until Azusa Pacific also scored two in the closing minute, which knotted the score at two going into the second period.

With an aggressive pressing defense, Iona held Azusa scoreless, and hit four consecutive goals in the second period for a 6-2 advantage at halftime.    In the third period, Azusa Pacific hit two consecutive goals, one being a five-meter penalty shot, to narrow Iona's edge to 7-4.

Back in the pool for the final quarter, Lauraitis hit two goals, including a five-meter penalty shot, and Olsen sealed the Iona win with two more scores.

Iona head coach Brian Kelly expressed concern about the team's defensive lapses, but saw improvement in the win over Azusa Pacific.

“We had a very shaky defensive effort by our team in the first game, and it showed by allowing 17 goals against a strong George Washington offense,” said Kelly. “We rebounded nicely as a team defensively in the second game, allowing only two natural goals.

 

“And we held a solid Azusa team to only six goals.   You hold a team to six goals, you win the game.”

The Gaels play two matches Saturday in the Lancer Invite as they take on the University of Redlands at 7:00 pm EST and Macalester at 9:40 pm EST.