EMMITSBURG, Md. (April 28, 2023) – Mount St. Mary's women's water polo battled in a physical, aggressive showdown with the Iona Gaels Friday during the first round of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship. Towards the end of the bruising contest, Iona composed a late run to eliminate the Mountaineers by an 11-8 final.
 
Pip Piper was instrumental in goal, helping the Mount with 11 rejections of the Gaels. Annefleur ten Bloemendal and Anna Kegel completed hat tricks in the game. Robyn Currie added three steals. In tribute to the physicality, there were 22 combined exclusions and several 5-meter penalty shots.
 
Both sides had a difficult time finding an offensive rhythm in the first half. Iona would be the team to strike first on a lob from Jenna Handali and a power play goal from Amelia Gonzalez. The Mount responded with an open look from ten Bloemendal to complete the first quarter scoring. The second quarter saw the Mountaineers produce a shutout on defense, and a second ten Bloemendal tally on a power play and a score from Kegel transitioned the lead to the five seed for halftime.
 
As play remained chippy and rough, the Gaels made a quick rally to tie. But trends continued as turnovers and offensive fouls limited shots for the two teams. The tide turned in the third quarter with a major inhibitor in the Mount's gameplan when Ana Luisa Cotta committed her third exclusion, attached with a disqualification. Almost immediately, Iona leveled the contest before grabbing the lead back at 5-4 with 2:54 left. More offensive fouls further hurt the Mount's chances, but a late goal from Rebecca Valentine pulled the team within one at 6-5 entering the fourth.
 
Kegel kicked off a comeback effort in the final frame with a furious volley into the far corner to tie the game at six. Iona responded before Kegel answered again, and the game stood at 7-7 at the five minute mark. With 4:50 to go, Gonzalez put the Gaels up for good and a 6v5 score ensured that would be the case. Iona tallied four of the last five goals to pull away at the end.
 
Mount St. Mary's finishes its season with a record of 15-11.  
 
Iona 11, Mount St. Mary's 8
 
Team                 1    2    3    4
Mount St. Mary's     1    2    2    3
Iona                 2    0    4    5
 
Goals: ten Bloemendal 3, Kegel 3, Valentine 2
 
Saves: Piper 11