Princeton, NJ – The Wagner College Water Polo team (4-7, 0-0 MAAC) topped Iona College to earn seventh place at the ECAC Women's Water Polo Championship at Princeton, NJ. Junior Laura Vanderbent (Shillington, PA/North Penn) tied a career high with four goals in the Seahawks' 9-7 win.

Iona took an early lead, outscoring Wagner 3-2 in the first period. But the Seahawks battled back to make the score 4-4 at halftime, outscoring the Gaels 2-1 in the second quarter. A 3-1 run in the third period gave Wagner a slim 7-5 lead. The two teams traded goals, 2-2, as Wagner hung on to claim their fourth victory of the season.

The win improves Wagner to 12-12 all time against Iona. Prior to this weekend, Iona was the only Conference opponent that Wagner had a lifetime winning percentage below .500.

Once again, defense played a huge role for the Seahawks. Senior goalie Kelsey Rodgers (Anaheim Hills, CA/Canyon/Fullerton JC) responded well, keeping Wagner in a close game with 17 saves.

On offense, Vanderbent tied a career high with a season-best four goals in a single game. She last accomplished the feat in the Seahawks' 13-3 win over Macalester on March 19th, 2008. Vanderbent is the leading scorer this weekend with six tallies. She has found the back of the net in each of the last six games.

Five other Seahawks, sophomore Lauren French (Shillington, PA/North Penn), junior Carina Giles (Mohton, PA/Governor Mifflin), sophomore Chelsea Beck (Reading, PA/Wilson), junior Natalie Pyrz (Harleysville, PA/Souderton Area), and sophomore Becca Hannings (Lansdale, PA/North Penn), added a goal apiece in the victory. Beck and Vanderbent are currently tied for the team lead with 14 goals each.

This week the Seahawks travel to Thousand Oaks, CA to take part in the Cal. Lutheran Tournament. Their first game is scheduled against Cal. State, Monterey Bay on Saturday, March 6th at 11:00 AM.