NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona University men's lacrosse team competed in its first-ever game as a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I program, taking on Hofstra University Saturday at noon from Mazzella Field. The Maroon & Gold would score a historic opening goal to start the bout, but the Gaels would be slowed down by a stout Pride defense, dropping their opening game 20-2.
AS IT HAPPENED
The Gaels' first offensive possession in program history would end in a goal. Cullen Lawry, taking a ground ball from deep in Hofstra territory battled through contact before firing a shot past the visiting side's goalie to the upper right corner. It was a first career goal for the Westfield, Massachusetts native, and the first points on the board in Iona men's lacrosse history.
The Maroon & Gold lead stood for more than eight minutes thanks to an opening quarter that consisted of half a dozen saves for Denny Piekutowski. Hofstra would eventually find the net in with five minutes left in the first, and go on to score four more unanswered.
Lawry struck for the second time in the second stanza, with the first assist in Iona history being dished out by Jake Riglietti. The attackman tallied his first assist and point in his career. Hofstra responded with another five points, taking both teams to the locker room with a score of 10-2 in favor of the visitors.
Noah Perea would sub in as the Gaels' goalkeeper for the second half, tallying two saves in the opening three minutes. Despite Perea tallying five saves in the quarter, Hofstra would score another five in the period to take the 15-2 lead.
The visitors continued in the fourth, tallying five more goals. The Gaels would face defeat in their home opener by a score of 20-2.
IONA PERFORMERS
- Cullen Lawry became the first player in team history to put the ball in the back of the net. The Freshman attackman netted two goals, the second highest total for any true Freshman on the field. Lawry placed all four of his shots on target, and tallied two ground balls.
- Denny Piekutowski tallied a team-leading nine saves and scooped up two ground balls.
- Fellow keeper Noah Perea totaled eight saves.
- Cooper Metz grabbed the highest tally of ground balls of any Gael with four.
- Francesco Raso fired three shots, with two of them on target. The Albany, NY native also counted two ground balls.
THE OPPONENT
- Anthony Mollica had a six-point afternoon with four goals and a pair of assists. All five of the Hofstra attackman's shots landed on goal.
- Trey Parkes counted the highest total of shots of any player on the field, with nine. Six of those landed on target, as the midfielder finished the afternoon with four points after a three goal and one assist outing.
Up Next
The Gaels begin their first two game road trip in program history as they take on Navy at Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland on February 8 before heading to Virginia to take on Hampton at Armstrong Stadium the next day.
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