NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College women's lacrosse returned to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action Wednesday afternoon, falling 12-2 to Manhattan at Mazzella field. The loss dropped the Maroon & Gold to 2-13 overall, and 1-6 in conference play.
Freshmen Erin Pugh and Rachelle Serafini tallied the Iona goals, both coming in the first half. Sophomore Mary Kate McCormick had a team high nine shots in the contest for the Gaels, and also gathered a team high two draw controls and four ground balls.
The Jaspers took an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Donna Jo Dinorcia just under three minutes into the contest. Pugh then answered with her 22nd goal of the season to tie the game at one. Manhattan then scored three straight goals, including two from Kaitlyn Cunningham, to take the lead for good. Serafini found the back of the net with 1:46 remaining in the first, cutting the Manhattan advantage to two, 4-2. Cunningham scored the final goal of the half with 54 seconds remaining to give the Jaspers a 5-2 halftime lead.
Manhattan held Iona scoreless over the final 30 minutes, while distancing themselves with seven second half scores. Manhattan's Kelsey Rehain and Stefanie Ranagan each scored twice in the half for the Jaspers.
The Gaels were outshot 30-25 and had 32 fouls compared to Manhattan's 16. Manhattan grabbed 24 out of 39 ground balls. Senior goalkeeper Maria Ortiz stopped six shots while junior Blaire Nathanson made two saves in relief. Christina Fiorinelli made 10 stops in net for Manhattan.
The Maroon & Gold completes regular season Saturday at 1:00 pm, when they welcome Siena to Mazzella Field. Prior to the contest, the Gaels will honor the program's seven departing seniors.
