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RIVERDALE, NY – Molly Fitzpatrick (Yorktown, NY) scored 41 seconds into double overtime to give the Manhattan College women's lacrosse team (4-9, 1-4 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) a thrilling 10-9 victory over Iona (4-10, 1-4 MAAC) at Gaelic Park on Wednesday night.
The Jaspers had a chance to win it in regulation, but Darby Nolan's (Oak Ridge, NJ) attempt with four seconds left was saved. Iona then had a shot hit the post in overtime before Fitzpatrick converted a free position opportunity in the second extra period to send Nolan, who was playing in the final home game of her career, out a winner. With the victory, Manhattan snapped a three-game losing streak while also earning its first MAAC win since a 9-8 triumph over Marist on April 22, 2015.
“I knew I had to do it for Darby,” Fitzpatrick said. “This was her day and her last time playing on this field. So I knew that goal was going in for her.”
“It just a lot of heart and a lot of sticking to the game plan,” Head Coach Katie McConnell said. “Today was our Senior Day for Darby, and everyone really came out on fire for her. It was a really good day for us.”
After a free-position goal by Pamela Giordano tied it at 8-8 with 13:21 left in the second half, the Jaspers needed just 11 seconds to respond. Caitlin Murphy (Carmel, NY) won the ensuing draw and connected with Emily Sandford (Floral Park, NY), who put her team back in front. Iona evened the score again at the 8:33 mark and had several solid scoring chances in the final minutes of regulation. However, one hit the post, one was blocked, and Nikki Prestiano (Yorktown Heights, NY) made three saves to keep things level.
Prestiano allowed just two goals over the final 33:41 after the teams played to an 8-7 first half. Iona got on the board first less than a minute into the contest, but Manhattan scored three of the next four goals to take the lead. The Gaels responded with a pair to go up 4-3 before goals by Fitzpatrick, Nolan and Sarah Lang (Golden's Bridge, NY) put the Jaspers in front 6-4. After Iona scored twice to tie it, Murphy and Kara Hodapp (Oak Ridge, NJ) found the back of the net to once again give the Jaspers a two-goal advantage, 8-6.
Fitzpatrick finished with two goals, including the game-winner, and two assists. Murphy had three points (two goals, one assist) to go along with five draw controls and three ground balls, while Lang also recorded two goals and an assist. Sandford added two goals of her own, and Hodapp contributed a goal and four draw controls. Nolan, meanwhile, posted a goal and an assist. In addition to stopping 11 Iona shots, Prestiano (4-9) picked up a team-best five ground balls.
Erin Pugh registered two goals and two assists for the Gaels. Pamela Giordano added a pair of goals to go along with four ground balls, and Libby Miller also scored twice. Goalkeeper Shannon McCaffrey (3-6) tallied 12 saves and collected five ground balls, as Iona held a 22-20 advantage in that category.