PROVIDENCE, RI - The Iona College lacrosse team dropped its 2014 season opener 17-4 to Brown Saturday afternoon at Stevenson Field. In her Iona debut, freshman Erin Pugh led the Maroon & Gold with two goals. Senior Nina Veneziale and junior Meghan Testoni picked up the other Iona tallies.
The Gaels found themselves in an early hole as Brown opened up the contest with a 5-0 lead. Testoni gave the Gaels its first goal of the contest with 21:38 left in the first half, cutting the decifit to four.
Brown scored the next four goals before Pugh tallied her first goal with 1:37 left in the period. The Bears closed out the half with a goal with two seconds remaining to take a 10-2 lead into the break.
In the second half, Brown picked up six straight goals to take a 16-2 lead before Veneziale scored with 10:46 on the clock. The Bears scored a final goal with 2:15 left before Pugh put in the final Iona score with 31 ticks on the clock.
Senior Maria Ortiz made the start for Iona, making three saves in 30:24 minutes of work. Senior Blaire Nathanson made three saves in 29:36 minutes of action.
The Gaels are back in action Wednesday, when they visit Central Connecticut State for a 4:00 pm start. Iona then hosts its home opener Saturday, Mar. 1 when it welcomes No. 11 Massachusetts to Mazzella Field.
