NEW LONDON, Conn. - The Connecticut College women's water polo team kicked off the 2026 campaign, falling to Division 1 Iona 20-6 on Sunday afternoon from Lott Natatorium.

Iona started quickly, jumping out to a 4-0 lead just 2:40 into the contest. Conn responded 15 seconds later, as Anna Taylor (Pleasonton, Calif.) got the Camels on the board. The Gaels scored the next two goals, spanning the end of the first quarter and start of the second quarter, before Brooke Brandenburger (Sacramento, Calif.) cut the deficit to 6-2. 

Iona used a 9-0 run spanning the end of the first half through the third quarter, taking a 15-2 lead into the fourth quarter. The teams traded the final nine goals, with Iona outscoring Conn 5-4. The Camels got three goals from Emma Luna (Wahiawa, Hawaii), with the final goal coming from Sarah Nagel (Honolulu, Hawaii), as Conn fell 20-6.

Conn returns to action this weekend for their first CWPA weekend, as the Camels will play four games in Grove City, Pa. beginning against Wheaton on Friday morning at 11:30 a.m.