NEW ROCHELLE, NY - A late second half surge boosted the Iona College lacrosse team to its first victory of the season in a 17-10 home win in non-conference action at Mazzella Field.  Freshman Nina Veneziale led the Gaels with six goals on six shots, including two from free position.

The Maroon & Gold (1-3) began the scoring in the third minute as Kylie Gregory netted an assist from Caitlyn Collins.  Veneziale began her march less than three minutes later to give Iona a 2-0 lead to start the day.  Michele Conway put Central Connecticut (1-2) on the board in the tenth minute, cutting Iona's lead in half.  The two teams traded goals over the next ten minutes and the Gaels went on to hold a 7-6 edge at halftime.

After the Blue Devils pulled in front, 9-8, by registering the first two tallies of the second half, Iona mounted a 7-0 run and claimed ten of the final 12 goals of the afternoon.  Gregory scored three times during the stretch, and Veneziale and Elizabeth Coholan added two.

Gregory finished with four goals and an assist in addition to one ground ball and one caused turnover.  Coholan, Emily Taddei, and Brenna Lade each had two goals while Collins was the squad's assist leader with four.  Bridget Sickles earned her first career assist with 1:31 remaining in the game.  Freshman goalkeeper Maria Ortiz made six saves.  Iona led 30-19 in shot attempts.

The Gaels are back in action on March 9, playing a 2:00 pm road match-up at Long Island.