NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College men’s water polo team split a pair on contests on the opening day of the CWPA Northern Division Championship. The Maroon & Gold fell in their first contest to St. Francis Brooklyn, but kept their season alive by defeating Connecticut College later in the afternoon.
St. Francis Brooklyn 15, Iona College 10
The Gaels most dominant player was sophomore Marc Stauble; he scored three goals and two assists to go along with his defensive efforts of three steals. The remaining Iona goals were all scored by different individuals; freshman Bailey Lyons and Andres Guerra, sophomores Patrick Judge and Jonathan Hulbert, and juniors Matthew Rothman, Hudson Grieve and Chris Ellis each scored a one goal.
Iona stopped five of the Terriers eight man-up chance, and converted five of their seven power play opportunities. Judge drew a team-high four St. Francis kick outs.
Senior goalkeeper Matt McCrudden played all four quarters and registered 16 saves in goal.
Iona College 14, Connecticut College 9
The major tack to the Maroon & Gold’s season saving win can be pinned on Grieve, Roper and Ellis, who all combined for 10 of the Gaels 14 total scores. The trio managed to score their goals on a total of 15 shots.
Freshman Alex Guerra chipped in a goal along with his brother, and Rothman managed two scores his five total shots.
For the second straight contest, Iona’s man-up offense was working at full throttle, scoring six goals on nine chances. The team defense while a man down allowed a five Terriers goal off their ten chances.
The team-leader in kick outs drawn was Roper with four, and Ellis chipped in a pair of his own too boot.
McCrudden made seven saves in net, and recorded a steal and assist.