RIVERSIDE, CA - The Iona College women's water polo team dropped the first two contests of its west coast trip at the Lancer Invitational, hosted by California Baptist. Despite a strong defensive effort against the nation's ninth ranked team, the Gaels dropped the first matchup of the weekend 11-8 to Loyola Marymount. After a strong first half on both ends of the pool, the Gaels dropped their second match of the day 10-6 to the host Lancers.
Senior tri-captains Amy Olsen and Erika Lauraitis led the Gaels with three goals each, with sophomores Rebecca Mathews and Meghan Mahoney adding one goal apiece. Senior tri-captain goalie Marisa Gaynor recorded four saves. Mahoney was disqualified with three ejections, and Lauraitis drew five Lion kickouts. Iona only scored on one of eight man-up advantages.
With only 45 seconds gone in the match, Olsen hit her first score, but the Lions answered with two straight goals for a 2-1 lead with 4:22 left in the first. Olsen's second score tied the game at two 16 second later, but Loyola Marymount hit four consecutive goals for a 6-2 advantage going into the second period.
Lauraitis's first goal 1:25 into the second quarter narrowed the Lion lead to 6-3, then Loyola Marymount hit twice to pull ahead 8-3 at intermission. In the third period, the Gaels outscored the Lions 3-2 on goals by Mahoney, Matthews and Lauraitis, yet still trailed 10-6 as the final period began.
Thirty-one seconds into the fourth, Lauraitis found the back of the net to pull the Gaels within three. Olsen missed a five-meter penalty shot, but hit her third goal with 2:22 left in the match.
Against Cal Baptist, Olsen led Iona with two goals, while seniors Sarah Hanly, Hannah Cross, Lauraitis and freshman Rebecca Koshy added one score each. Gaynor recorded ten saves and two assists. Olsen and Mahoney drew two Lancer kickouts each. Lauraitis won all four swimoffs.
CBU struck first 2:29 into the match, but Olsen answered 1:11 later for a 1-1 tie. The Lancers regained the lead 20 seconds later, then Olsen's second score tied the match again with 2:32 left in the opening period. After CBU regained the lead, Koshy struck to tie the game at three with only two ticks left.
In the second period, the hosts outscored the Gaels 4-1 with only Lauraitis scoring for Iona, which resulted in a 7-4 CBU halftime lead. Hanly pulled Iona back within two 7-5 with 5:47 left in the third. But the Lancers hit the back of the net twice for a four-goal 9-5 edge, until Cross scored with 1:52 left in the third.
In losing two more close matches to highly regarded opponents, the Gaels have shown some growth, but need to improve as their league schedule approaches.
”I don't take solace in the fact that we are losing close games against nationally ranked teams,” head coach Brian Kelly said. “We are improving but we need to have corrected the mistakes that we are making at this point of the year.”
With the Lancers leading 9-6 as the final quarter began, the host team added one goal, while the Gaels went scoreless in the fourth.
Iona faces Claremont-Mudd-Scripps tomorrow at 10:20 am, and LaVerne University at 2:20 pm.
