NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College lacrosse team kicked off its 2011 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference season with an 11-8 victory over local rival Manhattan at Mazzella Field.  It was the second consecutive time the Gaels bested the Jaspers in the conference opener.

Caitlyn Collins led all players with five points on three goals and two assists while Emily Taddei, Nina Veneziale, and Elizabeth Coholan added two goals apiece.  Casey Scully and Kylie Gregory rounded out the scorers for the Maroon & Gold.

Iona (3-7, 1-0 MAAC) took a 2-0 lead over the first 6:23 before Manhattan broke through with three straight goals to pull in front, 3-2, in the 14th minute.  Collins then rocked back-to-back tallies four and a half minutes apart to give Iona a 4-3 edge.  The Jaspers tied the game for a third time on a goal by Julia Lavelle.  The Gaels closed the first half with a 5-0 run to blow things open and led 9-4 at halftime.

Despite being outscored 4-2 in the second half, the Gaels had enough of a cushion to bring home the victory, snapping a four-game losing streak. 

Lavelle and Chrissy Gutenberger led the Jaspers with three goals each, while Breana Leonard and Tara Convery had one apiece.  Manhattan outnumbered Iona 25-21 in shots, 15-11 in ground balls, and 15-6 in draw controls.  Iona goalkeeper Maria Ortiz finished one save shy of her season high with 13.  Manhattan's Julia DiBernardo saved four.

The Gaels return to action on the road, making a trip to Western NY to face Niagara on April 1 and Canisius on the third.