NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College lacrosse team's winning streak was ended at two games with a Friday afternoon loss to Columbia at home.  The Gaels were defeated in non-conference action by a score of 12-8.

Emily Taddei scored on Iona's first possession with an assist from Caitlyn Collins to put the Gaels (2-4) ahead 1-0 in the second minute.  The lead was increased to 2-0 when Brenna Lade added an eighth minute unassisted goal.  The Lions (1-2) reached the scoreboard twelve seconds later on Taylor Gattinella's first of her game-high four tallies.

Leading 2-1, the Maroon & Gold stretched its advantage to three with back-to-back goals by Elizabeth Coholan and Lade.  Columbia answered with a 3-0 run, including two markers by Olivia Mann and one by Kelly Buechel, tying the score at 4-4 with 12:55 to go in the first half.  Nina Veneziale registered the final goal of the period to bring her season total to 14 while giving Iona a 5-4 lead heading into the second half.

The visiting Lions quickly knotted the game once again, scoring 1:15 into the half.  A pair of Gattinella goals book-ended a score by Gabrielle Geronimos as Columbia took an 8-5 lead.  Kylie Gregory netted a free position shot and followed with an unassisted goal less than a minute later which pulled the Gaels to within one with 15:57 left to play.  Iona would get no closer, giving up four of the last five goals of the day over the final 14:33 to close out the four-goal loss.

Iona goalkeeper Maria Ortiz made eight saves while Karlee Blank stopped seven for Columbia.  On tap for the Gaels is a 1:00 pm road contest at Stony Brook on March 19.