PRINCETON, NJ – Down only three, 5-2, at the end of the first quarter, the Iona University men's water polo team fell 20-9 to number-six-ranked Princeton University in a Northeast Water Polo Conference match here this morning.
GAME SUMMARY
Sophomore Samson Williams led the Maroon and Gold (8-19 overall, 1-6 NEWPC) with two goals on four shots. Junior Hugh Coyle, junior Daniel Raz, sophomore Ryan Tannus, freshman Christian Couch, freshman Charlie Harbour, freshman Logan Hardel and freshman Jack Robison added one score each.
In goal, junior co-captain P.J. Bartzen had three saves on 14 Princeton shots, one steal and 11 goals against in the first half. Junior Eric Caplener had one save on 10 Princeton shots, including blocking a five-meter penalty shot, and seven goals against in the third and fourth quarters. Sophomore Kyle Chin Lee had one save on three Princeton shots, including blocking a five-meter penalty try, and two goals against.
The Gaels scored nine goals on 27 shots and scored seven assists, with four by Robison. On defense, Iona made five steals, with two by Tannus. The Gaels drew 12 kickouts, with six by junior co-captain Pavle Musikic, including one five-meter penalty, while being ejected eight times, including four five-meter penalties. Iona committed 11 turnovers. Iona scored three man-up goals on ten chances, while Princeton scored one man-up goal on five chances. Grady won one of four swim-offs.
The Tigers got on the board first with two counter goals for a 2-0 advantage with 5:28 left in the opening period. Couch got Iona within one, 2-1, just 33 seconds later. A rebound score gave Princeton a two-goal, 3-1 lead with 2:29 on the clock. After another home goal, Coyle sliced the Tigers' edge to two, 4-2, but Princeton answered on its next possession for a three-goal, 5-2 lead at the one-minute mark.
With four straight goals, the Tigers built a seven-goal, 9-2 edge with 3:43 left in the second period. Two Gaels scores by Williams and Hardel pulled Iona back within five, 9-4, at the two-minute mark. Following another home goal, Hardel capitalized on a man-up chance to cut the Princeton lead to five, 10-5, with 25 ticks left. A Princeton buzzer-beater gave the Tigers an 11-6 halftime advantage.
Four straight third-quarter goals gave the hosts a ten-goal, 15-5 lead with 2:22 on the clock. After Caplener stopped a five-meter penalty try, the Tigers tacked on another goal with four seconds left to lead by eleven, 16-5, as the Gaels failed to score in the third period.
Continuing a 7-0 run from the first half, a Princeton goal put the Tigers up twelve, 17-5, then Tannus cut the home edge to eleven, 17-6, with 5:15 to go. Following a Tigers score, Raz buried a five-meter penalty, while Princeton missed three, including Lee's save. After Princeton went up 19-7, two Iona goals by Robison and Williams got the Gaels within ten with 3:10 remaining. With 18 ticks left, the hosts sealed their 20-9 conference win.
COACHEs THOUGHTS
While pleased with his squad's effort, Iona head coach Brian Kelly was disappointed with "too many mental mistakes."
"I was happy with the effort," Kelly said. "We played very hard. They're an exceptional team, and there's a reason why they're ranked number six in the country.
"We made too many mental mistakes that took us out of the game. You can't do that with a team of their caliber, with their size and speed."
UP NEXT
Next weekend, the Gaels will travel to New England for three NEWPC matches. On Saturday, Iona takes on (RV) Brown University at 1 p.m. ET in Providence, RI. On Sunday in Cambridge, MA, Iona takes on #19 Harvard University at 10 a.m. ET, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at 3 p.m. ET.
