ANN ARBOR, MI – The Iona College Water Polo program (3-17) concluded it's non-conference slate, dropping three contests to nationally ranked opponents. On the final day of the Wolverine Invite hosted by the University of Michigan, the Gaels fell 10-6 to No. 19 California State Northridge, 17-3 to No. 9 Michigan, and 8-4 to No. 17 Long Beach State.
 
Game 1: California State Northridge 10, Iona 6
 
A strong second half surge by the California State Northridge Matores sunk the Maroon & Gold in the first contest, outscoring the Gaels 6-3 over the final 16 minutes en route to a 10-6 win over Iona.
 
Senior Hannah Schultz scored a team-high four goals on nine shots. Freshman Jordan Van Reeken tallied a goal, one assist and drew six kickouts. Fellow rookie Laura Rockett drew four kickouts and tallied one goal.
 
Jordin Hale received the start, making nine saves, corralling four steals and dishing out one assist.
 
The Maroon & Gold were unable to get the offense started in the first quarter, getting held scoreless and conceding a goal.
 
With 6:51 remaining in the second quarter, Schultz found the back of the net and was followed by Rockett 36 seconds later as Iona took a 2-1 lead. After Cal State knotted the score at 2-2, Schultz connected again to give Iona the advantage. The Matadores snuck two more tallies in the final two minutes past Hale, putting Iona down 4-3 at the half.
 
The third quarter saw Iona outscored 5-1. The Matores struck first with 6:28 remaining but was answered by Van Reeken to pull the Gaels back within one, 5-4. The opposition scored four unanswered goals from there, putting Iona down by five.
 
The Matores scored the first goal of the fourth quarter with 5:55 remaining. Iona held CSU off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game, while Schultz connected on her final two scores of the game.
 
Game 2: Michigan 17, Iona 3
 
In the second matchup of the day, host Michigan bested the Maroon & Gold 17-3. Van Reeken scored a team-best two goals and senior Megan Hofer scored once.
 
As a team, Iona was ejected nine times and drew six Wolverines kickouts. The Maroon & Gold were unable to capitalize on 16 shot attempts, connecting on only three.
 
Senior Britten Villander got the start in net, making eight saves and allowing 13 goals. Hale came in relief, making one steal and letting up four Wolverines tallies.
 
The Maroon & Gold were held scoreless in the first quarter while conceding three goals to the host. After falling behind 5-0, Hofer and Van Reeken connected to bring the deficit back to three, 5-2. Michigan scored 11 unanswered goals before Van Reeken scored her final tally of the game with 2:23 left in the contest.
 
Game 3: Long Beach State 8, Iona 4
 
The Maroon & Gold struggled to gain offensive momentum against No. 17 Long Beach State, tallying a quartet of goals in an 8-4 defeat to the 49ers. Seniors Hofer and Allen tallied the teams only goals. Van Reeken was held scoreless on three shots but drew five 49ers kickouts.
 
Vilander played the entirety of the match, making 12 saves and nabbing two steals.
 
Hofer connected for the game's first score with 4:42 remaining in the first quarter, but the Maroon & Gold conceded three unanswered goals for the remainder to find the team down 3-1 after eight minutes.
 
The 49ers continued to roll in the second quarter, scoring the next two, before Allen stopped the run with 5:27 to go in the half. With 2:22 left, Allen scored her final tally of the game as Iona went into the break down by two, 5-3.
 
The third quarter saw the Maroon & Gold and 49ers both held scoreless, as Iona was unable to cash in on three man-up chances.
 
Long Beach State pulled away in the fourth quarter, scoring three goals over the first five minutes, opening up an 8-3 advantage. With under one minute to go, Hofer concluded the scoring.
 
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Iona looks ahead to MAAC play beginning on Saturday, with the Gaels taking on Marist (9:00 AM) and VMI (1:30 PM) at Siena College.