FAIRFIELD, CT - The Iona College lacrosse team dropped a 15-8 decision to Fairfield on Wednesday afternoon at Lessing Field.

Junior Nina Veneziale scored two goals to lead the Iona offense and also added an assist for three points. Senior Brittney Mabus and sophomore Meghan Testoni also had three points in the game with a goal and two assists each.

Iona got single goals from senior Kylie Gregory, junior Nicole Brancaccio, sophomore Casey Palmer and freshman Mary Kate McCormick. 

Sophomore netiminder Blaire Nathanson made 16 saves on 38 shot attempts.

Chloe Mangan finished with four goals on the afternoon for fairfield and Amanda Best had three goals. Katie Keenan made six saves in the win, while allowing five of the eight Iona tallies.

Iona trailed 7-5 after the first half and was outshot 19-10. The Gaels were perfect in the opening frame on clear attempts and eventually finished the contest 13-of-16. The Stags finished the game with a 38-18 edge in shots with four goals coming from the free-position.

Iona held a lead for nearly five minutes early in the first half, before Fairfield tacked on three goals to take a 3-1 lead. The hosts then increased the lead to 7-2 on a four goal run.

Fairfield led 15-6 with 2:56 remaining in the contest but goals by Brancaccio and Veneziale brought the Iona deficit to seven.

Iona will return to Mazzella Field and host Youth Day prior to the game against Niagara on Saturday at 1 p.m.