New Rochelle, NY - The Iona women's lacrosse team prevented a second half comeback from the American University Eagles, they improved their record to 5-2 with the 13-12 win. Iona was up 6-3 entering the second half but the visitors made it a one goal game heading into the fourth and final quarter.

Emily Stewart and Maliya Haddock combined for seven goals,Stewart continued with her MAAC leading shot percentage, scoring four goals on five shots with all five shots being on net. Micaela FitzPatrick has a team high eight points, two goals and six assists. Both her six assists and eight points is a career high for a single game. Alexa Maggiacomo also found the back of the net twice and Kira Varada and Carly Linthicum added one each. Carly's goal today is the first of her career and just the third point recorded for the Maryland native. Stewart & Varada matched each other with four draw controls each. 

In net Lauren Sweeney got the start for the Gaels, she made 4 saves and allowed 12 goals in 60 minutes of play. She faced 24 shots, with 16 of them on net. Sweeney has been credited with all five wins for the Maroon & Gold this season. Varada recorded a team high two caused turnovers out of the team's total of five. Haddock set her season high with three ground balls. Kate Krueger & Varada were the only other Gaels with multiple ground balls.  

American University started the scoring as they jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Stewart and FitzPatrick got the Gaels back within one as the first quarter came to a close. Iona was very impressive in the second quarter out scoring the opposition 4-0. Maggiacomo, Haddock, and FitzPatrick found the back of the net while Sweeney on the other end kept the Eagles off the board with three saves.

Iona took a three goal lead into the second half before the visitors out scored the Maroon & Gold 6-4 in the third making it a one goal game with 15 minutes left to play. Iona extended their lead to as high as five but American closed out the final seven minutes of the third with a 3-0 run. Three straight goals from Stewart and Haddock to start the fourth gave Iona a four goal lead with just over 10 minutes left of action. Both offenses went silent for the next seven minutes. But the Eagles did not go away as they closed out the final three minutes with another 3-0 run but fell short and Gaels held on for their fifth win of the season.

Iona will start conference play on March 23 as they take on Mount St. Mary's at home for a noon start. It will also be the Maroon & Gold's senior day.

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