BRIDGEPORT, CT - Iona women's lacrosse program comes from behind in second half once again to extend their winning streak to four games after defeating Sacred Heart 13-11. This is Iona's best start to the season over four games since 2018.

GAME SUMMARY

Eight different Gaels found the back of the net, Emily Stewart and Leah Marshall both scored three goals each, Megan Collins netted two herself and had all three assists for the Gaels. The other five goals came from Amber Brewster, Emma Rippon, Kira Varada, Gabriele Thorton, and Katherine Meyer. The Gaels took a game high 39 shots. 

Freshman Sofia Votto earned her fourth win of the season, coming up big down the stretch. The freshman faced 23 shots, making nine saves, posting a .450 save percentage.  As a team the Maroon & Gold picked up 17 ground balls and caused 8 turnovers. Leah Marshall led the team with six ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Despite Marshall finding the back of the net first to give the Gaels a 1-0 lead the offense came out slow for the second straight game, only notching 2 goals in the opening quarter. After Iona's goal, the home team scored three straight over four minutes and took a 3-1 lead. A goal by senior Megan Collins made it a 1 goal game with 3:40 left in the first. Sacred Heart was able to extend their lead to 4-2 entering the second 15 minutes. 

Iona opened the scoring in the second quarter with a Katherine Meyer goal in the first 50 seconds, another goal by the Maroon & Gold, this time reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week Kira Varada knotted the game up at 4-4. The hosts went on their second 3-0 run of the game and reclaimed a 3 goal lead, 7-4 with 7:28 left in the first half. The Gaels and the Pioneers traded goals 30 seconds apart to keep Gaels down three. 

Right before the half time break, Amber Brewster snuck one past the goalkeeper with just eight seconds left, keeping the deficit in check for the second half. Iona's offense came out hot to start the third quarter. Goals from Emily Stewart, Gabby Thornton, Leah Marshall, and Megan Collins gave the Gaels a one goal lead, 10-9, with under two minutes left to play in the third. 

Iona entered the fourth and final quarter after a huge defensive stop in the last seconds of the third leading 10-9. The final quarter opened up with stellar goalie play on both sides, with Freshman Sofia Votto making a massive save on Sacred Heart's first possession of the fourth quarter, after Emma Kittredge had a wide open look. With 11:41 left on the clock Votto came up big yet again this time on a Pioneer free position opportunity. 

Emily Stewart nets a hat trick after capitalizing on a free position chance just under 11 minutes left making it a two goal lead for Iona. Just as Stewart gets a hat trick, Marshall gets in on the hat trick fun, extending the Maroon & Gold lead to three, 12-9. Back to back goals by the Pioneers trimmed the Gael lead to 1 with 3:32 left to play. Just as Sacred Heart earns another free position chance Sofia Votto steps up with another huge save to keep the one goal lead. Senior Emma Rippon sealed the game for the Gaels with an empty net goal making it a two goal game with :14 second left play.            

UP NEXT

Iona travels again with another road game on March 5 at Lafayette, scheduled start time is 4 pm.   

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