Tensions are always at their peak at the Messmore Aquatic Center, when Fordham hosts Iona in water polo action, and Tuesday night's match didn't disappoint. In the end,
Ori Raz's sixth goal of the game late in the third quarter proved to be the difference, as the Rams outlasted the Gaels, 11-10.
With the win, Fordham improved to 8-4 overall, 3-2 in the CWPA's Northern Division, while Iona fell to 2-11 overall, 2-3 in the league.
Iona opened the scoring in the first quarter before back-to-back goals by Fordham's
Patrick Lenihan and
Ori Raz gave Fordham its first lead at 2-1. Extra-man goals by
Davis DeFontes and
Bobby Wurtz finished the Rams' scoring in the first quarter with Fordham ahead, 4-3.
The Gaels knotted the game at four with the first goal of the second period, but Fordham responded with two more tallies from Raz to put the Rams back ahead, 6-4. A goal by
Nicholas Allen ended the scoring for Fordham with the home team taking a 7-6 lead into halftime.
The Rams used a three-goal burst to start the third frame, two by Raz and one by
R.J. Simmons, giving Fordham its biggest lead of the game, 10-6. After Iona scored to make it 10-7, Raz capped a season-high night with his sixth goal of the game on a penalty shot, placing Fordham back ahead by four, 11-7.
The Gaels tried to charge back in the fourth quarter, scoring three times, by time would expire, giving Fordham the 11-10 victory.
For Fordham, Raz finished with six goals and an assist, while
Ben Clinkinbeard had two assists and three steals. Allen had a goal and an assist with Lenihan and DeFontes having a goal and a steal each. In net,
Noah LeBeau made eight saves and had one steal.
The Fordham water polo team will next be in action on Thursday, October 3
rd, when the Rams travel to California for matches against Whittier College at 3:00 PM Eastern and Mt. San Antonio College at 9:30 PM Eastern.
