POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — The Long Island University women's water polo team split its weekend series in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play, first defeating Iona University 9-8 on Saturday before falling to La Salle University 13-9 on Sunday. 

LIU held a 5-4 lead at halftime against Iona, thanks to a late goal by freshman Elena Grigoriou just 58 seconds before halftime. Iona tied the game at 5 early in the second half, but goals by Grigoriou and redshirt freshman Julia Allen put the Sharks ahead 7-6 entering the fourth quarter. 

Grigoriou scored her fifth goal of the game with 6:21 remaining, while Allen added insurance with an additional goal with 1:29 remaining to help seal LIU's eventual 9-8 win. 

Grigoriou led LIU with five goals, while Allen scored three. Freshman Chloe Liddle rounded out scoring with a goal. 

In Sunday's game against La Salle, freshman Esther Ruano Prieto led LIU with two goals; Grigoriou, Allen, freshman Olivia Bright, freshman Nevaeh Houck, senior Samantha Boothe, and redshirt junior Ashlee Dobell all scored once against the Explorers. 

LIU closes out MAAC play this weekend in Lexington, Virginia, taking on Mount St. Mary's University and Marist University on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively, and Virginia Military Institute on Sunday at 11 a.m.