NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Rider University women's lacrosse team scored four-straight goals and was tied early in the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell at Iona, 14-11, Wednesday afternoon. The Broncs move to 8-4 overall and 2-2 in MAAC games, while the Gaels improve to 8-3 overall and 3-1 in MAAC contests.
 
After allowing the game's opening goal, Kylee Garcia (Neshanic Station, NJ/Somerville[FDU-Florham]) continued her hot stretch of play as the reigning MAAC Offensive Player of the Week found the back of the net to even the game at 1-1. Minutes later Selena Carrington (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North[Rutgers]) scored a pair of goals, give the Broncs the lead at both 2-1 and 3-2.
 
The Gaels defense then dug in, holding Rider scoreless for nearly 15 minutes, while Iona scored three times to take a 5-3 lead. Rider finally snapped the drought when Garcia netted her second of the game, and late in the second quarter, she fed Katie Walsh (Marlton, NJ/Camden Catholic[FDU-Florham]) to trim the Iona lead to 6-5. The Gaels would score again with less than a minute remaining in the half to lead 7-5 at the break.
 
The Gaels would continue to fire out of the break, scoring twice to extend the lead to 9-5 early in the third. This time it was the Rider defense that hardened, holding Iona without a score for 16 minutes, while getting a pair of goals from Walsh, a goal and two assists from Anna Devlin (Marmora, NJ/Ocean City[TCNJ]), and a goal and an assist by Elena Bontatibus (Simsbury, CT/Simsbury), tying the game at 9-9 with 13:58 to play.
 
When Iona did finally break the scoreless spell, they went on a scoring flurry, scoring three times in just 2:07, taking a 12-9 lead they would not surrender. Goals by Walsh and Emily Wesoky (Sterling, VA/Dominion[Wagner]) would pull the Broncs to within two, but Rider would get no closer.
 
Quotes & Notes
"Any loss is tough, but there are a lot of great things that came out of today for us as a team. Iona beat Siena, and we played Siena in similar conditions and proved to ourselves we can play through anything and with our conference."
 
"We had some decisions that hurt us, but we battled for the entire game. Our flaw is our depth, and in a game like today that is back and forth in crazy weather conditions, that is a significant factor. I am proud of our players for what they did and we will continue to build and learn." – Head Coach Evan Mager
 
- Jamie Kubach (Philadelphia, PA/William Penn Charter[FDU-Florham]) made the start in net, playing all 60 minutes and making seven saves, taking the loss.
- Walsh recorded her 200^th collegiate goal in the game.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Iona outshot Rider 31-30 shots, and both teams had 21 shots on goal.
- The Gaels held a 21-20 edge in ground balls. Walsh led the Broncs with five in the game. Devlin and Gaby Melendez (Victor, NY/Victor[Canisius/Central Connecticut]) each had two.
- Iona won the draw circle 15-14. Hayley Henderson (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.) led the Broncs with five draw controls.
- Devlin had four caused turnovers.
 
Up Next
- Rider returns to action Saturday when the Broncs remain on the road at Quinnipiac. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m.