Poughkeepsie, NY – The Wagner College water polo team finished the 2011 season as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) runner-up after suffering a heartbreaking 11-10 loss to the top-seeded Gaels of Iona College.

Volleying for the title throughout the game, Iona's last-minute goal secured an undefeated conference record and the 2011 MAAC Championship and automatic entry into the NCAA Championship. Wagner finishes the 2011 season in second place with an overall record of 17-15 and a MAAC record of 5-5.

With 90 seconds to play in the game, senior Natalie Pyrz (Harleysville, PA / Souderton) sent one past Iona's defense and into the net, tying the game at 10-10. With 45 seconds remaining, Iona's Maggie Wood placed one between the pipes to lift Iona to victory. 

Wagner got out to an early 2-1 advantage before two quick goals from Iona put the Gaels up 3-2 in the waning seconds of the first quarter. At the buzzer, Wagner's Becca Hannings (Lansdale, PA / North Penn) hit the back of the net to tie the game at 3-3.

Juniors Hannings, Molly Robinson (Lansdale, PA / North Penn) and Lauren French (Colmar, PA / North Penn) each tallied second quarter goals as the teams headed into halftime deadlocked at 6-6.

At the start of second half, Wagner gained an early 7-6 lead off of a goal scored by French but Iona quickly answered back, tying the game again at 7-7. The Gaels continued on a 3-1 run as they took a two-goal lead (10-8) heading into the fourth quarter. 

At the start of the fourth, Laura Vanderbent (Shillington, PA / Governor Mifflin) found the back of the net to cut the deficit to one. The Wagner defense held Iona at bay until  Natalie Pyrz (Harleysville, PA / Souderton) tied the game at 10-10 with 1:30 left on the clock.

In an attempt to force overtime,the Seahawk defense again tightened down the stretch until the 45-second mark when Wood lobbed a shot past the outstretched arm of sophomore goalkeeper Laura Karbach (Abington, PA / Germantown Academy), who actually got a piece of the ball before it crossed the goal line. Wagner was unable to capitalize on its ensuing possession in the final seconds as Iona captured the championship.

Hannings led the team with three goals followed by Robinson and French with two goals apiece. Also scoring for the Seahawks were Chelsea Beck (Reading, PA / Wilson), Pyrz and Vanderbent who each tallied one goal.

Juniors Beck and French were named to the MAAC All-Tournament Team for their outstanding performances both in the semifinals and championship game.

Wagner-Iona Line Score

Wagner: 3-3-2-2 - 10
Iona   :    3-3-4-1 -11

Wagner Goals: Hannings 3, Robinson 2, French 2, Beck 1, Pyrz 1, vanderBent 1
Iona Goals: Wood 5, Olsen 3, Mone 2, Leonard 1