BRONX, NY- In the annual battle for the Dr. Francis X. Judge Cup, the Iona men's water polo team fell 24-10 to fifth-ranked Fordham University in a non-conference match at the Colonel Francis R. Messmore Aquatics Center this evening.
GAME SUMMARY
Junior co-captain Brett Grady led the Maroon and Gold (6-16 overall, 1-5 NEWPC) with three goals on four shots. At the same time, junior co-captain Pavle Musikic and sophomore Sampson Williams scored two goals apiece. Sophomore Ryan Tannus and freshman Charlie Harbour added one goal each.
In goal, junior co-captain P.J. Bartzen had two saves on ten Rams shots with one steal and eight goals against in the first quarter. Junior Eric Caplener had two saves on 13 Rams shots and six goals against in the second and third quarters. Sophomore Kyle Chin Lee had one save on seven Rams shots and three goals against in the fourth quarter.
The Gaels scored ten goals on 28 shots and scored six assists, with two each from Coyle and Tannus. On defense, Iona made two steals and blocked two shots. The Gaels drew 16 Rams kick-outs, seven by Musikic, including one five-meter penalty, while being ejected three times, including two five-meter penalties. Iona committed 14 turnovers. Iona scored six man-up goals on 16 chances, while Fordham scored three man-up goals on three chances. Grady won two of four swim-offs.
The Rams started the match with three straight goals in their first three possessions for a 3-0 advantage with 5:58 left in the first period. Musikic got Iona on the board with a five-meter penalty goal to pull the Gaels within two, 3-1, but the Rams scored on their next chance for a 4-1 advantage with 4:05 to go. Musikic struck again, but Fordham answered with four straight scores in the final three minutes for a six-goal edge, 8-2 going into the second period.
Continuing a 7-0 run, the Rams landed three more goals until Coyle sliced Fordham's lead back to eight 11-3 with 6:19 on the clock. The Rams responded with three more consecutive scores for a 14-3 lead with 3:11 remaining. Williams found the back of the net, but Fordham answered to restore a ten-goal advantage, 14-4 with 2:43 to go. After a Fordham five-meter penalty goal, Harbour capitalized on a man-up chance to cut the home halftime cushion to ten 15-5.
Grady's goal opened the third quarter, then the Rams struck for a 16-6 edge just 34 ticks into the second half. Grady's second score got Iona within nine, 16-7, but Fordham answered their next chance. Williams' second goal pulled Iona within nine,17-8, until three more Rams scores in the closing 3:03 gave the hosts a 20-8 edge going into the final period.
After Fordham's goal with 1:07 gone in the final period, Tannus cut the Rams' lead to 21-9 just 40 ticks later. Following three more home scores, Grady's third goal closed the gap to ten 24-10 with 2:27 left as Fordham retained the Judge Cup.
Dr. Judge was the father of five Ion water polo players, including three Goal Club Hall of Famers: Greg '84 (HOF '03) and volunteer assistant coach; Matt '86 (HOF '09); Mike '94; and Kevin '96. Chris '80 (Fordham HOF '96), his second oldest son, starred for Fordham and coached the team. His grandson, Patrick '18, is currently the team's assistant coach. Fordham currently leads the series 10-3.
UP NEXT
Next week the Gaels travel to California for four non-conference matches at the Julian Frazier Tournament hosted by Santa Clara University. On Friday, Iona takes on UC Merced at 6:20 p.m. ET. On Saturday, the Gaels face #8 Pacific at 2:40 p.m. ET, and Fresno Pacific at 8 p.m. ET. On Sunday, Iona plays host #17 Santa Clara at 12:20 p.m. ET.
