NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College lacrosse team fails to get first road win, losing to Lafayette under the lights 13-8. Despite being down one goal at the half the Gaels failed to gain any momentum in the second half getting outscored 8-4.
Junior Erin Pugh found the net four times for the Gaels. Fellow junior Katelyn Noschese chipped in two goals and one assist. Sophomore Jenna Tolzmann had one goal and one assist on the day, freshman Christine Gironda had one goal for the Maroon & Gold. Senior Mary Kate McCormick also recorded one assist. Senior Thea Leitman recorded 13 saves in goal.
The Gaels struck gold first with Tolzmann finding the net just under eight minutes into the game. Noschese followed suit off a free position goal to give the Maroon & Gold a 2-0 lead. Lafayette got on the board shortly after. Noschese notched another free position goal in a quick response to extend the lead back to two.
The Leopards would then go on a four goal run late in the first half to take a 5-3 lead. Pugh scored in the final minute of the first half to quell some of the Lafayette momentum, and to bring the back to within one.
Lafayette would start the second half strong unanswered three goal spurt. Iona would finally get back on the board little more than the halfway point of the second half with Gironda’s goal to make the score 8-4.
The Leopards long possessions proved difficult for the Gaels to stop, and Lafayette was able to find the back of the net twice more to go up 10-5 as the scoreboard continued to tick down.
Iona would continue to fight in the final 1:19 of the game with Pugh scoring two goals within 30 seconds to put game at 12-8. Lafayette would close out with an empty net goal to put the final at 13-8.
The Leopards lead in most categories, outshooting the Gaels 33-17 and secured more ground balls 21-17. As well as turnover margin 11-20 and fouls 15-38 which hurt the Gaels
The Maroon & Gold will head back down to Pennsylvania to take on Lehigh on Saturday Mar. 5 at 3:00pm.
