On offense Iona was led by Sophomore Leah Marshall with two goals, while Erin O'Donnell, Kati Paavola, and Megan Collins added one goal apiece. The Gaels lone assist came from Gabriele Thornton on their first goal of the game. Elyse Darcy got the start in net again, falling to 3-3 on the season, the junior allowed 12 goals on 35 shots, 25 of them being on goal making 13 saves. As a team the Gaels picked up 19 ground balls and caused 11 UMass Lowell turnovers. The River Hawks opened the scoring in the first minute after Elyse Darcy saved the first shot but a turnover right in front of the net gave UMass Lowell a golden opportunity. Six minutes later the Gaels fell behind 2-0. The first nine minutes were all River Hawks before Leah Marshall found the back of the net on an assist from Gabriele Thornton. The Maroon & Gold offense would start to pick up but unable to capitalize on a free position shot from Sara Stewart, but off the change of possession would result in a goal for UMass Lowell to extend their lead to 3-1. With 13:52 left in the first half the River Hawks snuck one past Darcy to make it a three goal deficit for the Gaels. Freshman goalkeeper Madison Grazidei for the River Hawks continued to stand on her head in the first half with five saves on eight shots with 11 minutes left before halftime. UMass Lowell scored their third unanswered goal to extend the lead to four. UMass Lowell's lead extended to six with seven minutes left to play. Megan Collins got the Gaels back within five on a free position shot with 6:30 left to play before halftime. The last goal of the first half went to the River Hawks as they took a six goal lead into the half. Iona opened the scoring in the second half with a goal from Junior Erin O'Donnell for her third of the season, but the River Hawks would find the back of the net on their next possession to keep their lead at six. After two goals from UMass Lowell, Kati Paavola scored her first goal of the season making it a 11-4 game. Leah Marshall capitalized on a free position shot to cut the lead to 6 but UMass Lowell scored seconds later to extend it back to seven. Darcy with a beautiful save at the 11 minute mark to keep the game within reach. No more goals were scored in the last 11 minutes as the final ended UMass Lowell 12, Iona 5. NOTABLE NUGGETS Sophomore Kati Paavola scored her first goal of the season UMass Lowell had eight more draw controls than Iona UMass Lowell went perfect, 18-18, on clear attempts Iona assisted on only one goal compared to UMass Lowell's seven Iona shot eight more free position shots than the River Hawks UP NEXT The Gaels are back in action March 12 at 3:00 PM against Radford on Mazzella Field. SOCIAL MEDIA