NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Sophomore
Taylor Wolf registered a career-high five goals, helping the Niagara women's lacrosse team to its first conference victory of the season with a 10-7 decision over the Iona Gaels on Saturday afternoon.
Niagara is now 4-7 overall and 1-1 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, while the Gaels fall to 4-6 overall and 1-1 in league play. Additionally, the win snapped an eight game losing streak to Iona that started after Niagara's last win in 2006.
Wolf also recorded an assist on the afternoon, finishing with a single game-high six points.
Danielle Maio was also a force on the offensive end with a trio of goals and one assist, while
Carrie-Jo Farrugia added two goals to the score sheet for NU.
Sophomore goalie
Andrea Francisco made a season-high 11 saves to collect her third win of the season in the Niagara cage. The Purple Eagles held a 22-16 advantage in ground balls, while the teams were knotted at 23 shots apiece.
"We battled today for 60 minutes, and put together a great second," head coach
Wendy Stone said. "We couldn't have been prouder of how the team responded in the second half. We are excited to get back to work on Monday."
The Gaels raced out to a quick start and mustered a four-goal lead with just under 13 minutes left to play in the first period. Wolf opened Niagara's scoring off an assist by Maio but Iona responded less than a minute later to reclaim a four-goal lead, 5-2. Wolf finished the half with the final goal and brought Niagara back within three scores.
The Purple Eagles came out strong in the second half, putting together seven straight to take a 9-5 lead. Farrugia capped off the rally with her 21
st of the season with 4:45 left on the clock. The seven goal run is the longest streak so far this season which highlighted three goals by Wolf.
Iona recorded two more unassisted goals while Maio scored Niagara's final goal of the afternoon which granted NU the 10-7 victory.
Niagara returns home for a contest against Fairfield on Saturday, Apr. 4. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m.
