EASTON, PA - The Iona College women's lacrosse team completed the non-conference portion of the season Saturday afternoon with a 19-13 loss to Lafayette at Fisher Stadium.

Sophomore Mary Kate McCormick led the Gaels with a career high eight points in the game, on six goals and two assists. Freshman Erin Pugh (2g, 1a) and juniors Casey Palmer (2g) and Meghan Testoni (2a) also contributed multi-point efforts in the contest.

The Leopards never trailed in the contest, as an early 3-0 run in the first five minutes of the contest set the tone for the home team. McCormick scored two straight to cut the Iona deficit to one, 3-2, before two Lafayette goals extended the lead back to three.

After a goal by senior Nina Veneziale with 16:37 left in the first half cut Lafayette's lead to two, 6-4, the Leopards ended the first half on a 7-2 run, as a goal by Laura Kleiber with 30 seconds left in the frame gave Lafayette a 13-6 halftime lead.

In the second half, the Gaels went on a 4-2 run early as a McCormick goal with 16:08 left cut the margin to five, 15-10. With Iona trailing by four, 16-12, Lafayette ended the game on a 3-1 run to take the six goal victory.

The Leopards outshot the Maroon & Gold 38-22 in the game, including a 24-9 advantage in the first half. Senior goalkeeper Maria Ortiz made six saves in one half of action, while junior Blaire Nathanson had four stops in a relief role. Lafayette goalkeeper Meghan Curtin had five saves to earn the win.

The Gaels have two MAAC games left on their schedule, beginning Wednesday, Apr. 23 with a 3:00 pm matchup with Manhattan College at Mazzella Field.