CLARKSVILLE, TN – Behind a six goal performance from
Calen Norton and a dominant defensive effort in the second half, the Iona University women's lacrosse team secured a 12–6 victory over Austin Peay at Morgan Bros. Field on Monday.
GAME SUMMARY
Norton led the way for the Gaels, scoring a game-high six goals, including three woman-up tallies and one man-down goal, powering Iona to the road win in Tennessee. Freshman Ava Cantillon led both teams with a game high six draw controls.
Lauren Sweeney anchored the defense in goal, recording 10 saves in the victory while also notching the 350th save of her career, moving her into fourth place all-time in program history. Arianna Burns was a menace on defense with three caused turnovers and three ground balls.
Offensively, Jocelyn Smith contributed three points with two goals and one assist, while Maliya Haddock and Lindsey Grove orchestrated the attack with three assists each. As a team, the Gaels also tied a program record with five woman-up goals, marking the third time in program history they have reached that total in a single game.
Iona jumped out to an early 3–0 lead in the opening ten minutes. Smith opened the scoring at the 10:30 mark, followed by an unassisted strike from Norton and a goal from Abby Axe off a feed from Haddock. Austin Peay answered late in the first quarter with two goals to cut the deficit to 3–2.
The Gaels created separation in the second quarter, outscoring the Governors 5–2. Norton was relentless during the stretch, recording three goals in the frame, including two on woman-up opportunities. Sydney Grassi capped the half with a free-position goal with 50 seconds remaining, sending Iona into the locker room with an 8–4 advantage.
Austin Peay made a push in the third quarter, holding Iona scoreless while adding two goals to trim the deficit to 8–6. However, the Gaels' defense and Sweeney held strong, turning away multiple free-position attempts to maintain the lead.
Iona closed the game emphatically in the fourth quarter, shutting out the Governors 4–0. Norton ignited the run with a man-down goal at 9:05, before Alyssa Castellano and Lauren Feeney extended the lead with back-to-back scores. Norton added her sixth and final goal on a woman-up opportunity with 2:03 remaining, sealing the 12–6 victory.
UP NEXT
Iona stays in Tennessee on the spring break trip, battling Winthrop at noon ET on Wednesday March 18.
