NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Playing in their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) game of the 2013 season, the Manhattan women's lacrosse team dropped a 16-9 decision at rival Iona on Wednesday afternoon. The Gaels scored five straight goals to break a 1-1 tie, sending the Jaspers (3-8, 0-1 MAAC) to their second straight loss.
Kylie Gregory started the scoring, notching the first of her eight 6:52 into the contest. Manhattan was able to find an equalizer two minutes later as Kelsey Rehain finished a free position opportunity. From there, Iona (3-9, 1-1 MAAC) took control scoring five straight goals over the next 19 minutes of game action. Both Gregory and Mary Kate McCormick found the back of the next twice while Mehgan Testoni also recorded a tally.
The Jaspers would get back on the board before the half ended when Donna Jo DiNorcia capitalized on her free position chance with 23 seconds remaining. Manhattan continued to gain momentum out of the locker room when Carly Eskenazi got another free position goal to cut the deficit to 6-3 less than a minute into the second frame.
Unfortunately, Iona had an answer each time Manhattan looked for a comeback. Gregory would record consecutive goals just 1:04 apart to up the advantage back to five with 27 minutes to play in regulation while the defense would not allow the Jaspers to score back-to-back goals the rest of the game. Meanwhile, the Gaels took control of the offense outscoring Manhattan 10-7 in the second, winning 11 of 17 draw controls (16 of 26 overall) to maintain possession.
Rehain, Eskenazi, and DiNorcia added another goal to their day for the Jaspers as Clare Kerrisk (2) and Megan Yarusso also scored. DiNorcia led all Manhattan players with three points, adding an assist to her score sheet. Gregory paced the Gaels with 10 points including two assists while McCormick and Brittney Mabus also had multi-goal games.
A high-intensity offense, Iona outshot Manhattan 32-21 as the defense forced 21 turnovers and held the Jaspers to 11-15 on clear attempts. Conversely, Manhattan kept the Gaels to 14-17 on their tries, forcing 18 turnovers.
In net, sophomore Christina Fiorinelli made seven saves and picked up a game high five ground balls for the Jaspers. Iona's Blaire Nathanson made eight saves for the win.
Manhattan is next action as they return to Gaelic Park on Sat., April 6 for a 5 p.m. match against MAAC rival Canisius.