PRINCETON, NJ Trailing by just three goals at the end of the first quarter to number-14-ranked Princeton University, the Iona women's water polo team managed only five more scores the rest of the match in a 17-8 non-conference loss here this evening.

GAME SUMMARY

Junior co-captain Lola Trujillo led the Maroon and Gold (5-11 overall, 0-3 MAAC) with two goals on eight shots. Senior co-captain Addison Collins, junior Sadie Sallas, sophomore Kaitlyn Williams, freshman Bailey Desmond, freshman Grace Goldhammer and redshirt freshman Vanessa McNabb each scored one goal. The Gaels scored eight goals on 28 shots with seven assists. 
In goal, graduate student Lilly Morris had ten saves on 23 Princeton shots, one steal and 12 goals against. In the third and fourth quarters, freshman Ella Dean had three saves, including stopping a five-meter penalty try, on six Princeton shots and  five goals against. 

On defense, the Gaels made six steals with three by Trujillo, who also blocked one shot.  Iona drew ten Princeton kickouts with four by Trujillo and three by Goldhammer, while being ejected eleven times, including three five-meter penalties. Williams was disqualified with three ejections. The Gaels turned the ball over 11 times. Trujillo won all four swim offs.  

The Tigers got on the board first with two straight goals for a 2-0 edge with 1:39 gone in match.  Just 34 seconds later, Sallas cut the hosts lead back to one 2-1, but Princeton responded with two more scores to go up three 4-1 with 3:58 left in the opening period. The Gaels bounced back with two consecutive goals to get within one 4-3 at the 3:07 mark.   

A Princeton five-meter penalty goal and lob at the buzzer gave the Tigers a three-score 6-3 advantage going into the second period. Continuing a 5-0 run, Princeton tacked on three more scores to up six with 1:42 left for a 9-3 halftime lead as Iona failed to score in the second period.  

With 1:12 gone in the third period, Trujillo ended the Iona offensive drought, followed by Williams on the Gaels next chance to slice the home margin to four 9-5 with 5:45 on the clock.  Princeton answered with two consecutive goals to go back up six 11-5 with 4:32 remaining.   Iona got back within five 11-6 on Desmond's goal with 3:15 to go. On two straight scores, including a five-meter penalty chance, the hosts mounted a seven-goal 13-6 advantage with 2:14 remaining.

With her second goal, Trujillo needed only 25 seconds into the fourth quarter to get the Gaels back within six 13-6. After Dean stopped a Princeton five-meter penalty shot, the Tigers added three more scores for a nine-goal 16-7 lead with 2:42 remaining. Following another home score, McNabb trimmed the Princeton edge back to nine 17-8 with 58 ticks left.

Co-captain Addison Collins welcomed the challenge of playing a nationally ranked opponent  and predicted "big things" for the team in the upcoming MAAC schedule. "I think it was great play some high-level water polo against a very talented competitor," Collins said. "The team's spirits are high and we are looking forward to this weekend. Big things are ahead.

UP NEXT

On Saturday, the Gaels continue their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference schedule in Loudonville, NY, as they take on Mount Saint Mary's College at 1:30 p.m., and host Siena College at 5 p.m.