ERIE, Pa. — The Iona College men’s water polo dropped a heartbreaker at Penn State Behrend, 12-11. The Lions and Gaels combined for 17 goals in the first half, but the home team scored just enough in a defensive struggle throughout the third and fourth quarters to stun Iona.
The victory marks the Division III Lions first defeat of a Division I team since a 5-0 forfeit defeat of Fordham University at the Grove City College Invitational on September 14, 2002. It mark the first non-forfeit win for Penn State Behrend over a Division I team in the history of the program.
Iona began the match scoring the first four goals. Sophomore German Rodriguez began a strong effort with two goals in the first 3:30 of the game. Scores from redshirt senior Philip Wachowski and junior Andrew Brozovic made it 4-0 with 3:58 remaining in the first quarter.
Penn State Behrend scored its first goal of the game at the 3:35 of the first. Sophomore Michael Feeley scored his lone goal of the game to put the Maroon & Gold back up by four, but a late Lion score in the first had the score reading 5-2 after the opening eight minutes.
The second quarter saw little defense. Iona and Penn State Behrend traded goals in the opening minute, but then the Lions went on a four goal run to take a 7-6 run. However, the offensive onslaught didn’t stifle Iona’s tenacity; the Gaels got a pair of scores from Rodriguez to ensure they went into intermission with a 9-8 lead.
Come the second half, the defensive prowess of both teams took the spotlight. In the third quarter, Wachowski and Brozovic each scored once to take build the Maroon & Gold lead to 11-8. However, Brozovic’s goal with 2:08 was the team’s last of the game. Penn State Behrend ended the game on a 4-0 run, shutting out the Gaels over the last 10 minutes.
In goal, senior Jorge Andres Torres made six saves, one steals and allowed six goals. In the second quarter, senior Michael Banks made one save and allowed six goals.
Rodriguez scored a game-high five goals on 11 shots. Brozovic scored three times while Wachowski and senior Brett Hofer each scored once.
The Gaels had 41 shots as a team, 21 of which came from Rodriguez and Brozovic combined.
Each team was three-for-three on five-meter penalty shots. Penn State Behrend was ejected eight times and Iona was ejected five teams.
Information courtesy Iona College Athletics Communications
