ANNAPOLIS, MD–  Opening its 2021 season against two top east coast teams, the Iona College men's water polo team fell to George Washington, 15-8, and No. 17 Bucknell, 16-11, at the 2021 Navy Open hosted by the United States Naval Academy.

GAME 1: George Washington 15 Iona 8

After trailing by two at halftime, the Gaels managed only three goals in the second half in the 15-8 decision vs. George Washington despite a strong defensive effort.

Senior co-captain Justin Ginsberg led the Gaels with three goals, while junior Lester Machado scored twice. Co-captain Michael Feeley, sophomore James DiSalle and freshman Luksa Vlasic had one goal each.

In goal, junior Kyle Laufenberg made 17 saves on 38 Colonials shots and two steals. On defense, Iona made 12 steals with three by Vlasic and two each by Ginsberg, junior Mohamed Refaat and freshman Trippe Bauman. Iona drew 12 George Washington kickouts with three each from Feeley and Vlasic, while being ejected nine times. The Gaels turned the ball over three times. The Maroon & Gold capitalized on three of 11 man-up chances, while George Washington scored on four of eight. Iona scored eight goals on 42 shots and had two assists.

With 2:04 gone in the match, the Colonials got on the board first, but 50 seconds later Ginsberg's man-up goals tied game at one with 5:06 remaining. Two straight Colonials scores in the next 1:01 put George Washington up 3-1 with 4:07 left. The Gaels answered with their own 2-0 run on goals from Feeley and DiSalle to knot the game at three with 48 ticks on the clock. The Colonials struck again 36 seconds later for a 4-3 lead going into the second period.

Neither squad scored in the second period until the Colonials hit a five-meter penalty shot for a two-goal lead with 3:43 remaining, then tacked on another score on their next trip down the pool. Vlasic's first Gael goal pulled Iona within two 6-4 with 2:06 left. After another George Washington score, Machado cut the Colonials lead back to two 7-5 with 37 seconds to intermission.

With two unanswered goals, the Colonials upped their edge to four 9-5 with 4:25 in the third quarter. After Refaat missed a five-meter penalty shot, three straight scores put the Colonials  up 12-5 with 2:36 on the clock. Machado's second score ended the Gaels offensive drought with 1:20 remaining, but the Colonials answered 54 seconds later for a 13-6 advantage going into the final period.

Twenty-five seconds into the fourth quarter, the Colonials added another score for a 14-6 edge. After a George Washington five-meter penalty shot hit the crossbar, Machado's second goal got Iona back within seven 14-7 with 5:45 left. The Colonials struck again on a five-meter penalty shot for a 15-7 lead at the 3:18 mark. After missing a five-meter penalty chance, Ginsberg found the back of the net with his third goal to cut the George Washington lead to seven 15-8 with seven seconds left in the match. 

GAME 2: #17 Bucknell 16 Iona 11

With eight Gaels finding the back of the net, Iona got within three goals of nationally ranked Bucknell in the third period, but the Maroon & Gold's second-half rally fell short in a 16-11 loss this evening. Ginsberg, Refaat and Vlasic led the Gaels with two goals each.  Machado, sophomore Andrew Miller, DiSalle, Bauman and freshman Luka Nastic had one score each.

In his Gaels debut in goal, freshman Diego Gomez made 15 saves on 31 Bison shots and three steals. On defense, Iona made seven steals with three by Vlasic and blocked four shots with two by Feeley. Iona drew nine Bucknell kickouts with three by Miller, while being ejected ten times.  Ginsberg was disqualified with three kickouts. The Gaels turned the ball over eight times. Iona capitalized on two of eight man-up chances, while Bucknell scored on five of ten opportunities. The Gaels scored 11 goals on 22 shots and had four assists.

Two straight Bison scores in the opening 3:49 gave Bucknell a 2-0 edge until DiSalle put Iona on the board with 2:17 left in the first period. The Bison answered with two more goals in the closing 1:54 to go up three 4-1 going into the second quarter. With two more straight scores, Bucknell continued a 4-0 run to go up five 6-1 with 6:09 on the clock until Machado's five-meter penalty shot pulled Iona back within four 6-2 just 55 ticks later. On Iona's next trip down the pool, Nastic's first Gael goal cut the Bison edge to three 6-3.   Three consecutive Bucknell goals in the closing 3:16 gave the Bison a 9-3 advantage at intermission.

Refaat needed only 30 seconds to trim the Bucknell edge to five 9-4, but the Bison hit a five-meter penalty shot just 15 ticks later. Vlisac's five-meter penalty goal sparked a 3-0 Gael run as Iona pulled within three 10-7 on goals from Ginsberg and Refaat with 4:21 remaining. Three straight Bison scores gave Bucknell a six-goal 13-7 advantage going into the fourth quarter.

A Bison goal with 5:49 left continued a 4-0 Bucknell run until Miller's goal 1:05 later to get Iona within six 14-8.  After another Bucknell goal, Vlasic's second goal cut the Bison edge back to six 15-9 with 2:46 on the clock. Ginsberg followed with his second score, but Bucknell answered with 1:12 for a 16-10 edge. Bauman added another Iona goal with 50 ticks left as the Gael rally fell short.

COACH THOUGHTS

Despite the season-opening losses, Iona head coach Brian Kelly praised this squad's effort against strong opponents.

"We had a competitive first day against two of the better teams on the East Coast," Kelly said.  "Our goal tenders were exceptional – Kyle with 17 saves in the first game and Diego with 15 in the second game.

"We need to improve our team defense and communication, especially against teams of their level.  We have the talent and personnel to get that done."

UP NEXT

On Sunday the Gaels face host Navy at 9:15 a.m., and Mount Saint Mary's at 2:15 p.m. 

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