NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College Lacrosse team was unable to tie the score in the final seconds as the Maroon & Gold fell to La Salle 10-9 in their final nonconference contest. Junior Jenna Tolzmann led the Gaels with four goals. Sophomore Christine Gironda and junior Pamela Giordano each tallied a pair and senior Katelyn Noschese found the back of the net once. In goal, sophomore Shannon McCaffrey made eight saves.
Iona controlled 11 out of 20 draws, took 24 shots, and held the advantage in ground balls 26-23.
The game didn’t start in the Gaels’ favor, as Iona fell behind early, conceding three goals in the first 15 minutes of play. Iona would storm back with four of their own in a six minute span. Tolzmann scored Iona’s first two of the game, with the first coming off a feed from Noschese, followed by a strike off a free position attempt. Freshman Catherine Gallery found a cutting Giordano to knot the score at three before Gironda found the back of the net to put the Gaels ahead 4-3.
The Pioneers responded with two goals, but was answered by Pugh’s 10th of the season with just two ticks remaining in the half to knot the score at 5-5 after 30 minutes.
The Maroon & Gold opened up the second half strong, notching the first three tallies. Sophomore Libby Miller found a cutting Giiordano to put Iona ahead, and was followed by Gironda’s second of the game off a dish from junior Kaitlyn Becker. Tolzmann put the Gaels by three after a connection on a free position shot.
With just over 20 minutes remaining in regulation, La Salle closed the gap to 8-7 after two goals in four minutes. Noschese scored her seventh of the season to put Iona up a pair, but was answered with two goals from the host to tie the score at 9-9 with 11:20 left in the contest.
Neither team was able to find the back of the net for the next seven minutes before the Pioneers went ahead with 3:55 remaining. The Gaels continued the pressure but Giordano rang one off the post with just over a minute left. Iona was able to regain control after junior Gabriella Di Domizio forced a turnover as the Gaels called a timeout. The Maroon & Gold were unable to knot the score as the clock hit zeros.
Iona returns home on Sunday, Mar. 26 to open up MAAC play against Niagara beginning at 1:00 PM on ESPN3.