PRINCETON, NJ - The Iona College women's water polo team continued early season non-conference action Saturday at the Princeton Invitational. The Gaels suffered a pair of setbacks during the day, beginning with an 11-4 loss to the host Tigers. In the second matchup of the day, the Gaels battled Harvard to overtime for the second consecutive week, but fell just short 13-12.
Against Princeton, senior Amy Olsen led the Gaels with two goals, while sophomores Meghan Mahoney and Taylor Silva both scored once. On defense, Iona drew eight ejections with Olsen drawing three. Mahoney was disqualified with three ejections. Senior goalie Marisa Gaynor recorded seven saves and three steals, including stopping a Princeton five-meter penalty shot in the first period.
Princeton struck first 3:35 into match, but Mahoney answered to tie the game at one 36 seconds later. Olsen put the Gaels ahead 2-1 with 2:54 left in the first quarter. But Princeton rallied in the second period with three unanswered scores for a 4-2 halftime advantage.
After Princeton scored 34 seconds into the third, Silva pulled the Gaels back to within two 5-3 a minute later. The Tiger hit two straight goals to lead 7-3 going into the final period. Despite Olsen's second goal with 6:09 left, Princeton outscored Iona 4-1 in the fourth quarter for the win.
“I thought we played our best game of the season versus one of the best teams in the country,” said head coach Brian Kelly. “I thought we definitely outplayed them for three quarters. Their goalie is excellent.”
Against the Crimson, Olsen led Iona with four goals, while seniors Erika Lauraitis and Sarah Hanly scored two each. Silva, Mahoney and graduate student Allison Peotter added one each. Senior goalie Marissa Gaynor recorded 15 saves.
After rallying from an 8-5 deficit at halftime, the Gaels led 10-8 at the end of the third quarter. But just like last Saturday, Harvard outscored Iona in the final quarter and two overtime periods for the win.
Peotter put Iona on the board first with 43 seconds gone in the match, but Harvard answered 28 ticks later to tie the game at one. The teams traded goals with Olsen scoring twice and Lauraitis once to give Gaels a 4-3 lead at the end of the first period.
In the first three minutes of the second period, Harvard scored three unanswered goals to tie, then take the lead 6-4. With 2:35 left in the half, Olsen hit a five-meter penalty shot cut the Crimson edge to 6-5. But Harvard scored twice to lead 8-5 at intermission.
But the Gaels came roaring back with five consecutive scores in the third period. After Lauraitis and Mahoney scored, Stelnicki tied the game at eight with 3:18 left. Hanly hit the back of the net twice in the closing two minutes to put Iona up 10-8 going into the final period.
With Peotter, Mahoney and Lauraitis each disqualified with three ejections, Kelly was forced to rely on his bench. In the fourth period, Harvard scored at 6:13, but Olsen's fourth goal put Iona up 11-9 with 5:12 left. But the Crimson rallied with two goals to tie the game at eleven with 54 seconds left to force overtime.
In the first overtime, Harvard hit two goals to take a 13-11 lead. Silva got Iona within one 13-12 with 1:44 to go but it would be as close as the Gaels got.
