PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Iona women's water polo team completed it's 2018 regular season campaign with commanding victories over La Salle and Siena. With the 12-4 win over the Explorers and 17-11 win over the Saints, the Maroon & Gold clinched the third seed in the upcoming MAAC Tournament. The Gaels (12-22, 9-5) will face the No. 2 seed Marist (19-16, 12-2) on April 28 at 2:00 PM. For more information regarding the MAAC Championships, click here.
 
Game 1: Iona 12, La Salle 4
 
In the opening contest against the La Salle Explorers, the Maroon & Gold commanded the pace, winning in dominant fashion 12-4. Eight different Gaels scored at least one goal for Iona, including four with multi-goal efforts.
 
Freshman Laura Rockett played arguably the best overall game of her career, scoring two goals on six shots, making three steals and drawing four kickouts. Erika Wimmer tallied the first two goals of her collegiate career, and Kate Schmitt and Hannah Schultz each scored twice. Danielle Hernandez, Carli Tovar each scored goals. Megan Hofer scored once in two quarters of play and Kayla Allen and Hannah Schultz each scored once in one quarter.
 
As a team, the Gaels collected 15 steals, were kicked out seven times and drew 10 kickouts.
 
In net, Britten Vilander made nine saves, allowed two goals and grabbed two steals in one half of play. Karli Normand made her first appearance in goal and allowed two goals and added one steal.
 
Iona jumped out to another 5-0 lead in the first quarter. Schultz scored two goals within 25 seconds of each other to open the game's scoring. Allen followed 24 ticks later to put Iona up three. Hofer scored on the powerplay later on and Kate Schmitt pad the lead.
 
The Maroon & Gold continued to roll in the second quarter, outscoring the Explorers 6-1.  After La Salle scored it's only goal of the half, the Gaels scored the next six unanswered. Wimmer scored her first collegiate goal and was followed by Tovar and Rockett. With 1:45 to play, Wimmer found the back of the net. Scmitt and Wimmer put the Gaels up double-digits with tallies in the final 1:12.
 
In the second half, Wimmer and Rockett each scored. Normand came in relief and allowed two Explorers goals.
 
Game 2: Iona 17, Siena 11
 
After scoring the game's first seven goals, Iona was able to upend the Saints 17-11 in a battle of offensive prowess in the afternoon contest to conclude the regular season.
 
Schultz (six shots) and Allen (eight shots) led the team offensively scoring four goals each. Jordan Van Reeken tallied a hat-trick on three shots and Hofer netted a pair on four shots. Schmitt, Fuher, Normand and Hernandez each scored once.
 
Vilander played the entirety, making eight saves.
 
The team collected 14 steals, were ejected 12 times and drew seven kickouts.
 
In the first quarter, Iona jumped out to a 4-0 lead, getting goals from Normand, Hofer, Van Reeken and Hernandez.
 
The Maroon & Gold outscored the Saints 5-3 in the second quarter. Allen tallied a pair and Van Reeken found the back of the net before the Saints connected with their first goal with 3;16 remaining in the half. Hofer and Schultz connected to put Iona up 9-1 but the Saints tallied the next two over the final minute to rim the Iona lead down to six.
 
14 combined goals were scored in the third quarter, with five coming from Iona. After Schultz brought the Iona lead to 10-3, the Saints scored with 5:58 to play in the quarter. Later in the frame, Van Reeken connected to put the score at 13-7 in favor of Iona. Iona went into the final quarter leading 15-8.
 
In the fourth quarter, Fuher connected for a goal and was answered by the Saints 14 seconds later. After another Saints goal, Schmitt scored Iona's final tally with 18 seconds left.