CAMBRIDGE, MA – Despite cutting the deficit to one goal on four occasions including a tally with 3:25 to play, the Iona College water polo squad fell 12-10 Sunday. Later in the day, Iona took down the University of Toronto 12-10 in an exhibition match.
 
Against Claremont, Patrick Hudak tallied a team-high four goals, with German Rodriguez and Quinn Lloyd posting two. Andrew Brozovic and Michael Feeley each scored once.
 
Hudak was the first to find the back of the net, but the Stags responded with two goals in a 24 second span to take the lead. The Gaels connected on the next two goals to take a 3-2 lead but the Stags responded with two in the final 1:08. The Gaels trailed 4-3 after eight minutes.
 
After the Stags took a two-goal lead, Rodriguez trimmed the lead to 5-4. When Claremont took another two-tally advantage with 4:01 remaining, Feeley brought Iona back within one. With 1:45 to play, the opposition went back up by two, but Rodriguez responded again 30 seconds later as Iona went into the break down 7-6.
 
The Stags began to roll in the third quarter, outscoring Iona 3-1. Claremont scored the first three goals over the first four minutes before Brozovic stopped the run with 3:54 left in the frame.
 
In the fourth quarter, Hudak brought Iona back within two 10-8 with 7:11 remaining in regulation, but the Stags responded 21 seconds later to put the deficit at three. The Gaels mounted a comeback in the next four minutes, with Hill and Hudak connecting to bring the score to 11-10 with 3:25 remaining. Iona was unable to find the back of the net in the final minutes and allowed the final goal with 1:20 to play.
 
Next up, the Maroon & Gold will return home for an NEWPC matchup with the Princeton Tigers at 7:00 PM.