NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College lacrosse team fell in its MAAC home-opener to Fairfield University, 9-7. The Stags used four late goals to secure the victory, and hand the Maroon & Gold their second conference loss of the season.
Juniors Erin Pugh and Katelyn Noschese led the offense for the Gaels with two goals each. Sophomores Jenna Tolzmann, Pamela Giordano and senior Mary Kate McCormick netted one goal apiece; the MAAC’s leading assist distributor also also had the lone of the afternoon for Iona. Senior Thea Leitman recorded six saves on 19 shots while minding the net.
The Gaels struck first courtesy ofTolzmann’s opening strike, assisted by McCormick. Fairfield answered back with a four-nothing run to go up by three; the latter two goals of the streak were scored within thirty seconds of each other.
Noschese responded for Iona, netting a pair of goals halfway through the first; one came off a free position while the other was an unassisted goal. Both teams traded another round of goals as Fairfield took a 5-4 lead to the half.
The Maroon & Gold started the second half on fire with goals by Pugh and Giordano to pull back ahead of Fairfield at 6-5.
The Stags didn’t falter under the quick squarm, instead working a another four goal run over nine minutes to pull ahead of the Maroon & Gold, 9-6.
Iona continued to fight in the last 15 minutes of action, rattling off several shots that were saved by Fairfield net-minder, senior Chslsey Sidara. McCormick found the back of the next with 37 seconds left to bring the final to 9-7.
Fairfield led the Gaels with more secured ground balls (10-8), draw controls (10-8) and shots (19-16). They also won the turnover margin 15 to 16. Iona recorded more saves six to two, and went four for six on free position shots while the Stags converted on a pair of their six attempts..
The Maroon & Gold head upstate to take on Niagara on Saturday, April 9 at 3:00pm.
