NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College lacrosse team moved to 2-1 in early season play wth a 12-6 victory over UMass Lowell Wednesday afternoon at Mazzella Field. Following an early two-goal deficit, the Gaels scored three straight and never trailed again in the contest.
Junior Mary Kate McCormick matched a career high with eight points in the contest on three goals and five assists. The five helpers are one shy of a single-game program record.
Freshman Emma Hager scored four goals, while sophomore Erin Pugh scored three times. In net, junior goalkeeper Blaire Nathanson recorded nine saves.
After the River Hawks scored two early tallies, their first opening period goals of the season, Iona answered with three straight as Pugh, junior Anna Kelly and McCormick found the back of the net.
After UMass Lowell evened the score at three, the Gaels ended the half on a 3-1 run as Hager found the net twice and Pugh scored her second of the game with 1:06 left in the period.
Ahead 6-4, Iona put the game away with the first three goals of the second half. After tallies from Hager and McCormick, Pugh’s final score of the day with 19:09 left pushed the Gaels ahead 9-4.
Two straight goals from the River Hawks trimmed the Iona lead to three, 9-6, before three straight from the home team ended the contest. Hager found the net for the fourth time with one second on the clock.
The Gaels held a 33-16 edge in shots, along with an 11-8 advantage in draw controls. Iona is back in action Friday, when it welcomes Brown to Mazzella Field for a 3:00 pm start.