March 24, 2013
Siena Water Polo won their first MAAC contest, using a 5-0 run to defeat VMI 14-9, but fell to the defending MAAC champions the Iona Gaels by a 20-11 count.
To begin the day, Siena (6-9, 1-3 MAAC) broke a four all tie by scoring the next five goals of the contest before pulling away against the Keydets (10-12, 1-3).
Rebecca Robinson scored two goals in the opening period to help the Saints, who never trailed in the contest to open a 4-3 lead. After a goal from VMI's Caitlyn Jackson to tie the score at four, Jacquelyn Verdon's tally would ignite the decisive streak.
Stephanie Bundas added two of her team-high five goals during the run and Cally Timm notched a goal to conclude the 5-0 run.
VMI would cut the Siena lead to two, 9-7 late in the third period, but the Saints would answer with three consecutive goals from Robinson, Jasmine Carillo, and Bundas to put the game out of reach. Samantha Voelker added a goal in the closing minutes to complete the scoring.
Lea Allen and Carillo would tally career-highs in assists, with Allen recording seven and Carillo five. Siena shot 61 percent in the contest and showed their prowess on the defensive side with eight steals, four by Bundas.
Madeline Hurley tallied a career-best with 21 saves and also swiped two steals.
The contest against the defending conference champions, the Iona Gaels was a different outcome.
The Saints kept the game close in the opening period, with four different players scoring goals. Robinson, Bundas, and Allen would combine with Kori Swieter to notch four goals in the first. Siena only trailed by two going into the second.
Iona (13-6, 4-0) scored six of the next seven goals in the game to jump out to a 12-6 lead. Siena would get as close as five goals at 14-9, but could not complete the comeback.
The Gaels were led by Amy Olsen's seven goals, five of them coming in the first period to lead all scorers. Siena did not miss a shot in the second and third periods, netting five in-a-row.
Seven different players scored for the Saints, including Brianna Ritota, whose goal made it a 14-9 game. Carillo and Swieter led the way for the Saints with two goals a piece.
Carillo also added four assists and a steal. On the defensive side, Allen led the squad with three steals. Stephani Pouder and Hurley split time in the cage and both notched four saves.
The Saints are back in the water in a couple of days, but in a much warmer climate and 3,000 miles away. Siena embarks on their annual West Coast swing, starting off with a game against Whittier, Tuesday at 5 p.m.
