NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona men's lacrosse team closed with a six-goal fourth quarter, but an early deficit proved too much to overcome in a 16-10 non-conference loss to LIU at Mazzella Field. Sophomore Cullen Lawry paced the offense with five points on two goals and three assists. Sophomores Jack Martinez and Jimmy Kennedy each recorded three points, while sophomore Kyle Hardie and freshman Carson Turissini added two points apiece.

THE RUNDOWN

LIU struck first and built a 4-0 lead after one quarter, extending the advantage to 8-3 at halftime. Kennedy halted a five-goal run to open the game with a score at the 13:18 mark of the second quarter. Less than a minute later, Martinez netted the first of his three goals to trim the margin to 5-2. After the Sharks pushed the lead to 7-2, Lawry found the back of the net at 4:10 to account for the third goal of the opening half.
 
The visitors controlled the third quarter, scoring five of six goals to take a 13-4 lead. Kennedy provided the lone tally in the frame, converting on a man-up opportunity at 12:07.
 
Iona found its rhythm in the fourth, outscoring LIU 6-3. Lawry added another goal, Hardie and Turissini each struck, Matthew Dyszkiewicz scored, and Martinez capped his first collegiate hat trick with two late finishes to round out the scoring.

IONA PERFORMERS

• Lawry matched his season high with five points, finishing with two goals and three assists.
• Martinez recorded his first collegiate hat trick and has five goals over the last two contests.
• Kennedy posted his second multi-point effort of the season and ninth of his career with two goals and an assist.
• Hardie turned in his second straight game with a goal and an assist.
• Turissini notched his fourth multi-point performance, scoring once and adding an assist while attempting a team-high nine shots.
• Sophomore goalkeeper Noah Perea made 14 saves between the pipes.

THE OPPONENT

• Aidan Zuhoski, Anthony Tsakos and Cameron Connolly each scored three goals, with Zuhoski adding three assists and Tsakos contributing one.
• Ben McIsaac totaled four points on two goals and two assists.
• Ben Schuster recorded two goals and an assist, while Charlie Hunnewell chipped in a goal and an assist.
• Goalkeeper Tyler Gresh finished with 10 saves.

TEAM STATISTICS

• LIU held a 47-37 edge in shots and a 35-34 advantage in ground balls.
• The Sharks controlled the faceoff battle, 18-12.

UP NEXT

The Gaels continue their three-game homestand with a matchup against Stony Brook Seawolves on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. at Mazzella Field. With weather in the Northeast in the forecast, schedule updates will be provided if necessary.