NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona women’s water polo team split two matches on Saturday, March 5 at the 2016 Harvard Invitational. The Gaels were bested by No. 19 Indiana 14-10, and earned a dramatic upset win over No. 11 Hartwick College.
GAME 1: Iona 10, #19 Indiana 14
In the opening contest, sophomore Hannah Schultz led the Gaels with five goals. Seniors Taylor Silva, Meghan Mahoney, and Rebecca Mathews each tallied one goal apiece, along with junior Rebecca Koshy, and sophomore Brittany Toro.
In goal, Senior Dana Delucci made four saves, and dished out an assist. Freshman Jordin Hale stopped two shots.
GAME 2: Iona 7, #11 Hartwick 5
In the afternoon tilt of the doubleheader, the Maroon & Gold pulled off a major upset, taking down No. 11 Hartwick by a final of 7-5. The Gaels were led by Koshy, who finished the contest with two goals and an assist. Silva, Koshy, Mahoney, Shultz, senior Sara Bortz, and sophomore Kayla Allen each tallied a goal in the victory.
The story of this game was the net-minder, Hale; the freshman was a brick wall, making 14 monstrous saves, allowing five goals to a team that had been averaging over 13 per game. Hale’s prowess held the Hawks under 10 goals scored for the first time this season.
This was Iona’s first win over a ranked opponent since they took down No. 20 Harvard last February at the Hynes Center.
The five goals allowed is the fewest the Gaels have allowed since their 7-4 victory last March against Fresno Pacific (23 games). Coach Brian Kelly praised the strong defensive effort.
“We are starting to really come together as a team,” Kelly said. “We are communicating defensively much better and our help defense has really improved dramatically.”
The Gaels are back in action tomorrow for the conclusion of the Harvard Invitational, as they take on nationally ranked Princeton at 10:30 am.