PRINCETON, NJ - Despite hopes to wrap up the regular season with a conference road upset win over a nationally ranked team, the Iona men's water polo team fell 20-10 to no.11 Princeton University in a Northeast Water Polo Conference here this evening at DeNuzio Pool.

GAME SUMMARY

Sophomore Jack Folan, freshman Nathan Mendes, freshman Luka Nastic and freshman Luksa Vlasic led the Gaels with two goals each. Senior co-captain Justin Ginsberg, junior Mohamed Refaat, freshman Nathan Mendes and freshman Luka Nastic had one goal apiece. The Gaels made ten goals on 32 shots with five assists with two from Nastic.

In goal, sophomore Diego Gomez had six saves on 22 Tigers shots, made one steal and had 15 goals against in the first half. Junior Kyle Laufenberg had four saves on 11 Tigers shots and had five goals against in the second half. 

On defense, the Gaels made six steals with two from Refaat and had three blocked shots. Iona drew 11 Princeton kickouts with three each by sophomore Andrew Miller and Vlasic, while being ejected two times. Iona scored five goals on 11 man-up chances, while Princeton scored one goal on two man-up opportunities. The Gaels turned the ball over eight times.

Getting on the board first with 23 seconds gone in the match, Princeton scored six goals on six straight possessions for a 6-0 edge with 4:03 left in the opening period. Folan's score ended the Iona offensive drought on the Gaels first shot as the hosts led 7-1 at the 3:23 mark. After the Tigers answered, Vlasic got Iona back within five 7-2, but Princeton went back up six 8-2 on its next possession with 1:10 to go. With 37 ticks remaining, Nastic pulled Iona with five 8-3.

Princeton tacked on two more goals for a 10-3 lead with 5:50 gone in the second period.   After Ginsberg's five-meter penalty shot hit the crossbar, the Tigers scored on their next trip down the pool for a 11-8 advantage with 5:15 remaining. Vlasic's second goal got Iona within seven 11-4, but Princeton scored on its next chance for a 12-4 edge with 3:27 to go.  

Thirteen ticks later, Folan found the back of the net again to trim the home lead to seven 12-5. Three unanswered Princeton goals gave the hosts a 15-5 halftime advantage. With Iona failing to score in the third period, Princeton scored three consecutive goals for a 18-5 advantage going into the final quarter.   

Refaat's goal with 5:21 gone in the fourth quarter ended a 6-0 home run and cut the Princeton lead to 18-6. After a Princeton score, two straight Gael goals from Nastic and Ginsberg sliced the Tigers advantage to 19-8 with 3:57 left in regulation. Following a Princeton five-meter penalty goal, Mendes scored his first two Gael goals as Iona outscored the hosts 5-2 in the final period.

UP NEXT

The Gaels will return here November 19-21 for the 2021 Collegiate Water Polo Association Northeast Conference Tournament. 

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