Box Score VILLANOVA – Kaysie Stuba recorded a team-high five points in the nightcap of the season-opener as Villanova fell to RV Iona, 21-14, at the Villanova Swim Complex Saturday to close out the first day of competition.

The senior netted two goals and added on three assists, accounting for seven of the 35 shots that Villanova (0-3) attempted. Iona (2-3) held the Wildcats to no more than four goals in a frame throughout the contest.

Aside from Stuba, three other Wildcats logged multi-goal performances. Stella Byles netted three goals while Emily Morrissey and Emily McKenzie moved the twine two times each. Amanda Rice added four points on a goal and three assists.

Stuba netted a penalty shot equalizer at the 6:30 mark, tying the game at one. After a two-goal surge from Iona, Sydney Bianchi and Stella Byles both scored goals to keep the game within reach.

With 1:26 left in the opening period, Isabel Herbst drew a foul on Iona's Malia Naugle to set Villanova up with another penalty opportunity. Morrissey converted the five-meter attempt to tie the game, 4-4.­ As the clock ticked down in the first quarter, Iona's Jordan Van Reeken connected on a shot, putting the Gaels ahead 5-4.

Herbst gave Villanova another tie 10 seconds into the second period with an assist from Rice. The Gaels grabbed a 3-0 run to distance themselves with a penalty shot from Maeve Ellen Wydan.

Goalie Abigail Shelby sent a rocket down toward the other net to find Byles. The sophomore netted her attempt with 37 seconds left on the clock to make it 8-6.

The Wildcats trailed in shots 8-6 at the break but applied pressure defensively to keep Iona without a successful powerplay in three attempts.
Iona opened the second half with a pair of goals to push its lead to 10-6.

In the opening parts of the third period, Morrissey ended a 2-0 Iona run with a powerplay goal, cutting the deficit to 10-7 with 6:28 remaining. Another run by the Gaels came to a halt later in the period, this time with Emily McKenzie stopping the 4-0 sprint on a behind-the-back shot, pulling within four at 15-9. By the end of the third, Villanova trailed, 17-10.

Villanova had its third successful five-meter attempt with Amanda Rice connecting to put the 'Cats down by eight with 2:18 left in the game, 21-13. McKenzie capped the day with the final goal in the last minute of the game.

The Wildcats were out shot by a slim 38-35 margin, converting five of their 11 powerplays. Both sides missed one of their respective penalty shots. Iona was 4-of-5 on their penalty chances while Villanova was 3-of-4

In net, Shelby made four saves. On the other end, Iona's Mary Jane Bailey saved 10 of the shots the Wildcats peppered her way.

Villanova welcomes Princeton to town on Feb. 4 for a 6 p.m. meeting.