NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Connecticut College men's water polo team returned to action, falling to Division 1 Iona 18-8 on Saturday evening from Hynes Pool.

Iona started quickly, jumping out to a 4-0 lead through the opening quarter of play. Hugh Coyle got the scoring starting just 1:07 into the contest, converting on a penalty shot. The Gaels tacked on three more goals over the next three and a half minutes to take the lead after one. 

Iona continued the run to start the second quarter, pushing the lead to 7-0 with five minutes left. Conn finally got on the board at 4:51 as Laird Welch (Carmel, Calif.) struck the twine to make it 7-1. However, the Gaels ended the frame with three more goals to take a 10-1 lead into the break.

Iona tallied the first two goals of the second half, before Jesse Ellis (Fresno, Calif.) found the back of the net to make it 12-2. Toni Vlasic pushed the lead to 13-2, before Ellis and Paul Podrebarac (Friendswood, Texas) netted back-to-back to make it 13-4. The Gaels notched the final two goals of the quarter to lead 15-4 after three.

Iona scored 30 seconds into the fourth to extend the lead to 16-4. Conn answered with two straight goals, as Welch set up a goal each from Podrebarac and Cormac Stevens (Philadelphia, Pa.) to make it 16-6. The teams traded the final four goals, with Benjamin Turner (Bellaire, Texas) finishing off a pass from Kale Halfacre (Aurora, Colo.) and Welch finding the back of the net off a pass from Turner as Conn fell 18-8.

Conn (3-9) returns to action on Friday night as the Camels host UC Merced at 7:00 p.m. in Lott Natatorium for Senior Night.