NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College Lacrosse team slipped past Siena for their third straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win. Saturday afternoon’s 12-11 victory is the program’s first win over Siena since 2009.
The MAAC’s leading facilitator and Iona’s captain. senior Mary Kate McCormick, led the offensive attack with two goals and three assists. She also recorded a season high six ground balls. Junior Erin Pugh and sophomore Jenna Tolzmann each recorded a hat trick with three goals apiece. Pugh added in one assist and a season high seven draw controls.
Freshman Christine Gironda stepped up with two goals of her own. Junior Rachelle Serafini and sophomore Emma Hager both recorded one net-finder. Junior Grace Celona dished out two dimes for the Gaels.
The start of the contest saw both the Gaels and Saints go on their own respective 3-0 runs. With it looking like a deadlocked score would be on the halftime menu, Giroanda scored in the latter moments to give Iona an one goal edge at the midway point.
The Gaels continued their momentum into the second half with another a devestavingly quick 2-0 run to put themselves. 8-5. Siena bounced back in short time with a two goal run of their own to cut the lead to 8-7.
The most important stretch of the game came when the Maroon & Gold went on a four-nothing run to take a 12-7 lead with less than 15 minutes to go in the game. The Saints, knowing their own postseason chances hung in the balance, went on their own four goal stretch. The once one-sided game suddenly became tense when it was a one-goal affair.
Iona played stall-ball after winning a draw control, but a costly turnover gave Siena a chance to knot things up in the finale minute. With an open field, the Saints couldn’t conenct the necessary passes to net a scoring chance, and the Maroon & Gold survived the late scare.
The Saints led the Gaels in draw controls (16-9), and free position going four for eight. Iona out shot the Saints (26-22), won the turnover margin (20-21) and saves (7-6).
The Maroon & Gold will take on rival Manhattan Wednesday Apr. 20 at Mazzella field, first draw is scheduled for 3:00pm.