New Rochelle, NY - The Iona College women's lacrosse team wrapped up its regular season with a dominating 18-4 senior day victory over Niagara to earn a spot in the MAAC Championship for the first time in its four-year history.  The Maroon & Gold enter the tournament with an overall record of 7-10 and an even 3-3 in conference play.

Five different Gaels registered multiple goals on the day, led by Jaclyn O'Leary's five.  Christie Godlewski also added five points with three goals and two assists.  Jillian Beck had three goals while Kelly Hughes and Lisa Baron had two each.  Elizabeth Coholan, Rachel O'Leary, and Katie Cavanaugh rounded out the scoring for Iona.

The Gaels established control early and never trailed after taking a 3-0 lead before the Purple Eagles made it onto the scoreboard.  Hughes and Godlewski netted back-to-back goals just twelve seconds apart as the Iona advantage was stretched to four with 13:02 on the clock.  Niagara's Courtney Formato broke through the Iona defense five minutes later and Leigh Downing added another goal with 5:35 to go.  However, the Gaels managed three straight goals to end the half ahead 9-3.

Jaclyn O'Leary scored consecutive goals less than one minute apart to open the second half, with assists by Hughes and Rachel O'Leary.  Seven more tallies marked a 12-0 Gael run stretching back to the first half.  Stephanie Chayka capped off the contest with her second goal of the day on a free position shot with 43 seconds remaining.

The fourth seeded Gaels will face No. 1 seed Fairfield in the first semifinal matchup on April 25.  The two teams play at 3:00 pm at Mazzella Field, where the championships are being held for the third consecutive year.