The Iona College women’s water polo team is off to their slowest start in their past three seasons as it looks to defend its three-time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) title.

The Gaels (1-5) took on Harvard Feb. 1 in the Villanova Invitational. The game was tight all the way as it took two overtime periods to be completed. The Gaels were defeated 16-15 after leading by four goals with four minutes to go in the fourth period. They allowed five unanswered goals from Harvard which eventually led to their defeat in second overtime.

Seniors Amy Olsen and Erika Lauraitis scored four goals each. Senior Sarah Hanly added two goals. Also, seniors Hannah Cross and goalkeeper Marisa Gaynor each added a goal. Sophomore Rebecca Matthews and graduate student Allison Peotter netted one goal apiece.

Lauraitis reflected on the devastating defeat.

“It was just an early season game that we should have won,” Lauraitis said. “But we made mistakes that we can look to improve upon.”

Iona entered the Princeton Invitational winless and faced the No. 9 Princeton Tigers in its first match. The Gaels fell 11-4.

The game was back and forth in the first quarter but the Tigers rallied with three unanswered goals in the second quarter as the halftime score was 4-2. Princeton outscored Iona 7-2 in the second half to complete their victory.

Olsen scored two goals, and sophomores Meghan Mahoney and Taylor Silva each scored one goal.

Olsen believes playing nationally ranked programs will help the Gaels grow.

“To play a top ranked team like Princeton is always a great experience,” Olsen said. “Every minute we play against good players is only making us a better team.”

Next up was a rematch against Harvard. The Maroon & Gold had fallen to the Crimson seven days earlier. This time the teams needed just one overtime to decide a victor.

In the first quarter, the game was back and forth. The Gaels held a 4-3 edge entering the second quarter. Harvard dominated the second quarter and went into the half leading 8-5.

The Gaels responded with five consecutive scores in the third quarter to take a 10-8 lead with one quarter remaining. Hanly scored twice in the period.

In the fourth quarter, Olsen scored her fourth goal of the game, but Harvard rallied to tie the game at 11 and force extra time.

Harvard scored twice in the overtime to go ahead 13-11. A late goal by Silva was not enough, as the Gaels dropped their fifth straight game.

The Gaels defeated George Washington 14-3 in the final game of the tournament on Feb. 9. The Maroon & Gold held a 7-0 halftime lead.

“Winning against George Washington was a breath of fresh air,” Olsen said. “It’s not all about winning; it’s about getting better regardless of the outcome, and I think we needed that win.”

The Gaels are looking to turn their season around from this point after this slow start as they head into the CWPA/MAAC Crossover on Feb. 22 and 23 in Cambridge, Mass. They will take on George Washington, Bucknell, Princeton and Harvard.