VILLANOVA, PA - In the team's second MAAC matchup of the day, the Iona College women's water polo team defeated St. Francis College 16-8 as seven Gaels found the net in the win. With the win, the Gaels improved to 14-7 overall, and are tied with Wagner for first place in the MAAC at 5-1.

Both teams were scoreless in the opening five minutes until St. Francis scored with 5:09 left in the first period. Twenty-two seconds later junior Amy Olsen tied the game, then classmate Erika Lauraitis put Iona up 2-1 at the 4:07 mark. But the pesky Terriers tied the game at two only fifteen ticks later. Freshman Rebecca Mathews put the Gaels ahead for good 3-2 twelve seconds later.

Iona outscored St. Francis 6-3 in the second period, 5-1 in the third, and each team scored one goal in the final quarter.

Olsen and Lauraitis led Iona with five goals apiece. Sophomore Katie Stelnicki added two goals, and junior Georgina Lee, sophomore Ashley DeMarzo, Mathews and freshman Meghan Mahoney scored one goal each. Junior Marisa Gaynor recorded ten saves in the win.

Iona continues its MAAC schedule next weekend as the Gaels face Wagner and Villanova at Marist College in Poughkeepsie on Saturday, then host Villanova and Marist on Senior Day Sunday, April 7.