NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College lacrosse team dropped its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener to Marist, 18-10. The contest wraps up the month of March that featured six road games for the Gaels.
The Maroon & Gold’s leading goal scoarer, junior Erin Pugh, continued her offensive prowess, putting up her third consecutive three goal performance. She also dished out two assists. Senior Mary Kate McCormick, junior Katelyn Noschese and sophomore Jenna Tolzmann each chipped in two goals apiece. Tolzmann also gave out one assist. Junior Grace Celona also netted one goal for the Gaels.
The Red Foxes took command early on their home turf by going up 2-0. Iona would get on the board courtesy of Noschese to make it 2-1 ball game.
The early part of the game featured each team trading goals back and forth. The Gaels finally tied the game at 3-3 off of Tolzmann’s goal at just under the halfway mark in the first. Marist would then score two consecutive to go up 5-3.
Iona answered back with Pugh’s goal to bring them within one at 5-4. Following a Red Fox score, the Gaels helped themselves out with goals by Noschese and Celona to bring the game to 6-6 as the halftime horn sounded.
The Red Foxes would close out the first half with a 3-0 run to put them up 9-6.
The second half proved to go the Red Foxes way, starting with a 6-0 run that ate up most of the second half. The Gaels ended the gamebreaking Marist streak on Tolzmann’s second goal go make the score 12-7.
After a few minutes of back and forth banter, the contest would come to a close with a 4-0 runby the winning squad to bring the final to 18-10.
The Gaels were barely out shot by the Red Foxes, 26-29. The Red Foxes won the turnover margin 13-14. Iona did the draw control battle 16-13.
The Maroon & Gold return home to Mazzella field for their last non-conference matchup against LIU Brooklyn this Saturday Apr. 2 at 2:00pm.