MWP Falls On The Road At Princeton

PRINCETON, NJ – Failing to score in the second and fourth quarters, the Iona men's water polo team managed only five goals in a 16-5 loss to number-eleven ranked Princeton University in Northeast Water Polo Conference here today.

Sophomore Pavle Musikic led the Maroon and Gold (7-13 overall, 3-3 NEWPC) with four goals on nine shots, while sophomore Brett Grady scored one goal on three shots.

The Gaels scored five goals on 30 shots on five assists with two by sophomore Ryan Tannus. In goal in the first and third quarters, senior Aleksandar Slavkovic had three saves on 12 Princeton shots, three steals and nine goals against. In the second and fourth quarters, sophomore P.J. Bartzen had five saves on 12 Princeton shots, including a five-meter penalty stop, one steal, and seven goals against.

On defense, the Gaels made eight steals and senior co-captain Matthew Mischlich blocked one shot. Iona drew three Princeton kickouts with four by Musikic, while being ejected 14 times, including two five-meter penalties. Senior co-captains Coby Scanlon and Rastko Jevdjovic were disqualified with three ejections. Iona scored two goals on eight man-up chances. The Gaels turned the ball over 12 times. Iona won three of four swim offs.

With a minute gone in the match, Princeton got on the board first for a 1-0 lead. The Tigers tacked on three straight scores to go up 4-0 with 4:38 to go in the opening period. In the closing 2:38, Princeton added two more goals, including a five-meter penalty score, for a 6-0 edge, as Iona failed to score in the first period.

Musikic needed only 27 seconds into the second period to end the Iona offensive drought and get the Gaels back within five 6-1. After the hosts added two more goals, Musikic's second score cut the Tigers advantage to six 8-2 with 3:40 left. The Tigers answered, but Grady found the back of the net to narrow the home margin to seven 10-3 with 1:30 on the clock. Musikic's third goal just 32 ticks later cut the Princeton lead to six 10-4 at halftime.

In the third period, Princeton scored three unanswered goals as Iona failed to score for a nine-goal 13-4 Tigers advantage going into the final period. The Tigers added two more scores for a 15-4 advantage with 3:30 remaining in regulation. After Bartzen blocked a Princeton five-meter penalty try, Musikic's fourth goal cut the home edge back to ten 15-5 at the 2:26 mark. A minute later, Princeton scored to seal the 16-5 win.

On Sunday, Iona travels to Brooklyn to take on Long Island University in a conference match at noon.

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#Iona Athletics

Players Mentioned

#11 Brett Grady: UT; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#23 Rastko Jevdjovic: C/CD; 6' 3"; Senior

#8 Matthew Mischlich: A; 6' 0"; Senior

#4 Pavle Musikic: C; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#13 Coby Scanlon: A; 6' 3"; Senior

#1 Aleksandar Slavkovic: G; 6' 3"; Senior

#18 Ryan Tannus: UT; 6' 2"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#11 Brett Grady
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: UT

#23 Rastko Jevdjovic
: 6' 3"; Senior
: C/CD

#8 Matthew Mischlich
: 6' 0"; Senior
: A

#4 Pavle Musikic
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: C

#13 Coby Scanlon
: 6' 3"; Senior
: A

#1 Aleksandar Slavkovic
: 6' 3"; Senior
: G

#18 Ryan Tannus
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: UT