NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Junior Nina Veneziale led the Iona College lacrosse team to an impressive 16-7 victory over Niagara on Youth Day at Mazzella Field on Saturday afternoon.

Veneziale finished the game with four goals to lead the Iona offense. Senior Brittney Mabus also had four points in the contest with two goals and two assists. Freshman Mary Kate McCormick had a breakout game finishing with a game-high five points, collecting three helpers and two tallies. Senior Kylie Gregory added a pair of goals and an assist.

Six Iona players also tallied single goals - juniors Jenna Stone and Nicole Brancaccio, sophomores Meghan Testoni, Marisa Tomsky and Casey Palmer and freshman Anna Kelly.

Sophomore Blaire Nathanson made none saves for her second win of the season.

Iona led wire-to-wire and held a 7-4 at the half. Palmer scored the opening goal for Iona on the Free Position at 28:30. Niagara tied the contest at 21:42 before two more Iona tallies. Niagara made their final comeback of the contest and tied the game 4-4 before Iona scored three more times to end the half.

The Gaels scored four consecutive goals to start the second half and took an 11-4 advantage with 23:07 remaining. Iona finished the game with a 39-23 edge in shots and finished 14-of-16 on clear attempts. 

Iona will conclude the regular season next week as the team will travel to Marist on Wednesday and then host Siena on Saturday, Apr. 20 at 1 p.m.