NEW ROCHELLE, NY – After being shut out last season at Holy Cross, the Maroon & Gold struck back with a commanding 11-4 win over the Crusaders Saturday at Mazzella Field. Junior Shannon McCaffrey shined in net, stopping 12 in the victory.
 
Offensively, Katelyn Noschese tallied a team-high three goals on four shots. Pamela Giordano scored two goals on six shots, grabbed two ground balls and controlled three draws. Jenna Tolzmann tallied a pair and Kaitlyn Becker, Danielle Keenan and Madi Kochanek each found the back of the net once.
 
Gabriella Di Domizio shared a team-high three caused turnovers with Christine Gironda, with the Gaels totaling nine as a team. Iona outshot the Crusaders 26-21 and grabbed 22 ground balls opposed to Holy Cross' 25.
 
Iona controlled play from the opening draw with Becker connecting on her fourth goal of the season 3:23 into the game. Giordano continued her strong start to the season, notching her 12^th just a few minutes later.
 
After Holy Cross answered a Noschese tally, Iona scored the final three of the half. Keenan connected on a free-position attempt, followed by a Kochaneck score off a feed from Maureen Murphy. Giordano concluded the first-half scoring on a free-position shot with 4:06 remaining to put the score at 6-1 after 30 minutes.
 
Tolzmann scored her lone tally with 27:22 to play on a free position attempt, but was answered by a two Crusaders' goals within 1:32 to bring the score to 8-3 with 24:46 remaining. McCaffrey continued with one big save after another as the Gaels rallied for three more goals from Tolzmann, Stewart and Noschese. After a late Crusaders goal halted the Iona rally, Noschese connected with her ninth goal of the season with 3:29 left.

The Gaels will look to remain undefeated at home Wednesday against Army West Point, slated for 3:00 PM.