NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The Connecticut College women's water polo team dropped the 2025 season opener, falling to visiting Iona University 17-5 on Saturday afternoon from Lott Natatorium.

Iona opened the contest with two goals in the first minute and a half. Conn got on the board just before the six minute mark as Emma Luna (Wahiawa, Hawaii) buried her shot. From that point, the Gaels took over, using a 12-0 to open up a 14-1 lead early in the fourth quarter.

However, in the final quarter, the Camels got some offense. Trailing 14-1, Conn scored three of the next four goals to make it 15-4. Melia Lorch (), Maddie Baybeck (Ann Arbor, Mich.), and Meiling Bottan (Encinitas, Calif.) scored during the run. Iona answered with the next two goals, before Luna scored on a five-meter shot with 28 seconds left, to make it 17-5.

Luna led the way with two goals, while Baybeck, Bottan, and Lorch all chipped in one goal.

Conn returns to action next weekend for four games beginning on Saturday, as the Camels travel to Erie, Pa.