POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Rallying from a 9-5 deficit at the half, the VMI water polo team completed its historic 2017 season with a tough 11-10 loss to Iona College in the MAAC Tournament consolation match Sunday afternoon in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Tied at four apiece after the first period, the Gaels put together a strong second quarter to outscore the Keydets, 5-1, to build its 9-5 lead.
"While we didn't quite get the results we were hoping for this weekend, that can't change what was a great and historic season," said VMI head coach Ryan Pryor. "We made many big steps forward this year as a program and accomplished a lot of firsts. Thank you to our seniors Bailey, Ceci, and Joyce, who have done so much to advance the program during their time as Keydets."
Natalie Rivas scored early in the third period and Shelby Barkley score twice midway through to put VMI within one, 9-8, but Iona's Devika Joshi ended the momentum with a Gael score to end the quarter.
The Keydets again brought the score to within one when senior Cecilya Lundy scored early in the fourth period, but Joshi sealed the win for Iona with a goal at the 6:13 mark that VMI could not overcome. Lundy would add VMI's final goal with just over a minute remaining.
Barkley and Lundy led the Keydets with three goals apiece during the match while Rivas added two. Freshman Emma Noble and junior Rebecca Serrano also put in goals for VMI.
The Gaels were paced by four goals from Kayla Allen with Hannah Schultz contributing three.
