WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ - The Iona College women's lacrosse team fell to Monmouth 11-6 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action Wednesday afternoon at Kessler Field at Monmouth Stadium. Junior midfielder Bernadette Gennaro led the Gaels with a career high three goals in the game.

The Gaels got out to a 2-0 start as goals by junior Meghan Testoni and senior Nina Veneziale gave Iona a two goal cushion just over three minutes into the contest. Monmouth answered with a trio of goals, taking a 3-2 lead on a goal by Alexandra Stambaugh with 19:57 left in the first half. After a tally by junior Casey Palmer evened the score at three, the Hawks ended the period on a 3-0 run, as a goal by Olivia Higson with 1:24 left in the frame gave Monmouth a 6-3 halftime lead.

Back-to-back Monmouth goals to open the second half gave the Hawks an 8-3. A 3-1 run by Iona, all coming from Gennaro, over a five minute stretch cut the Monmouth advantage to three, 9-6, before the Hawks scored the contest's final two goals to grab the five goal win.

The Hawks outshot the Maroon & Gold 26-20 overall, while Iona had a 19-16 advantage in ground balls and 11-8 in draw controls.

Iona netminder Maria Ortiz recorded eight saves while Monmouth goalkeeper Katie Donohoe made 10 stops. The Gaels are back in action Saturday, when they visit Lafayette in their final non-conference game of the season.