SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Iona College men’s water polo split their double header on the final day of the Julian Fraser Memorial. The Gaels rolled past Ottawa University of Arizona, 15-6, to start the day before losing a nail-biter against DivisionIII No. 5-ranked Chapman University, 12-11.
The Gaels never trailed against Ottawa as Iona got off to a hot start. The Maroon & Gold where in a commanding lead at intermission leading 9-4. The defense did not let up in the second half as the Gaels help Ottawa to only two goals. Iona outscored Ottawa 6-2 in the second half, extending their lead to the final score of 15-6.
Junior Patrick Hudak led the team with six goals on ten shots. Sophomore Justin Ginsberg added three goals of his own on four shots, shooting a team high 75 percent. Sophomore Michael Feeley led the team with four exclusions drawn and two steals.
Senior Jorge Andres Torres got the win in game one as he combined with senior Michael Banks combined for 15 saves.
As a team, the Gaels shot 50 percent and had nine steals on the defensive side.
In the late game Iona and Chapman went wire to wire as the Gaels fell just short in the final quarter. The Maroon and Gold trailed 7-5 at the half, but Chapman came out hot in the third quarter to claim a four goal lead two minutes in. The Gaels fought their way back with four unanswered goals to tie the score at nine-all going into the fourth quarter.
However, Iona was able to make it a one goal game with 0:35 seconds left but were unable to squeeze one more in the net to force overtime.
Seniors Quinn Lloyd and Philip Wachowski and Ginsberg combined for more than half of Iona’s goals, with two a piece. Lloyd also added three assists, one steal and one block to his stat line. Feeley added three more exclusions drawn, making it seven on the day for him.
Andres Torres faced 31 shots in the second game making ten saves and lead the team with three steals.
Release courtesy Iona College Athletics Communications
