NEW BRITAIN, CT - The Iona College lacrosse team dropped an early season non-conference matchup to Central Connecticut State 15-10 Tuesday afternoon at Arute Field. The loss moved the Gaels' early season mark to 0-2.

Iona was led by senior Nicole Brancaccio and sophomore Mary Kate McCormick's three points. Brancaccio tallied one goal and two assists while McCormick contributed two goals and one assists. Senior Nina Veneziale, junior Meghan Testoni and freshman Erin Pugh also registered multi-goal efforts.

In net, junior Blaire Nathanson made seven saves for the Gaels while senior Maria Ortiz made two stops in a relief role.

The Gaels found themselves in an early hole, as the Blue Devils scored the game's first three goals. Veneziale then scored the Gaels' first tally of the contest, her second of the season, which ignited a 4-1 run.  Pugh's goal with 18:31 left in the first half evened the contest at four apiece.

CCSU charged back with the next four goals to take an 8-4 advantage before Pugh's second goal of the game with 2:27 remaining in the period trimmed the Iona deficit to three at the break.

In the second half, the Blue Devils struck first as Amanda Toke's goal pushed the lead to four, 9-5. Iona stormed back with three straight as Brancaccio got the Gaels within one, 9-8, with 20:01 left in the contest.

CCSU countered with three in a row to take a 12-8 advantage before two Iona goals got the Maroon & Gold within two, 12-10. The Blue Devils put the game away with the last three tallies to take the five goal margin of victory.

Iona hosts its home opener Saturday afternoon when it welcomes No. 11 Massachusetts to Mazzella Field for a 1:00 pm start.