FAIRFIELD, CT – The Iona College lacrosse team kicked off the 2015 season in spectacular fashion with a 15-5 rout of Sacred Heart Wednesday afternoon.
Sophomore Erin Pugh, senior Meghan Testoni and freshman Pamela Giordano led the way with four points apiece, as Pugh scored a game-high four goals in the contest.
In her first collegiate game, Giordano scored three goals and added one assist while junior Mary Kate McCormick recorded three goals as well. Testoni scored two goals, along with two assists while senior Casey Palmer handed out two assists.
Senior Blaire Nathanson registered five saves in net for the Maroon & Gold. Freshman Jenna Tolzmann grabbed a team-high three ground balls, while Tolzman, Pugh and sophomore Brianne Towey caused turnovers apiece.
Iona outshot the Pioneers 26-14 in the game, and forced 22 Sacred Heart turnovers. The Gaels also held a 17-16 advantage in ground balls.
Iona led from start to finish, as the Maroon & Gold opened up a 5-0 lead before Sacred Heart scored its first goal of the game with less than 10 minutes remaining in the opening period. Pugh tallied Iona’s first two goals before Testoni, Giordano and McCormick found the net.
Giordano and Pugh tallied the final two goals of the half as the Gaels went into the locker room ahead 7-2. Two goals by Serafini and Pugh’s final tally opened the scoring in the second as Iona jumped ahead 10-2. Testoni and McCormick then found the net to give the Maroon & Gold a 10 goal advantage.
From there, the two teams found the net three times apiece as McCormick, freshman Tori Anderson and Giordano registered the final goals for Iona.
The Gaels begin a five-game homestand Saturday afternoon, when they welcome Central Connecticut State to Mazzella Field for a 1:00 pm start.