The Iona College women’s lacrosse team finished their 2019 spring campaign on April 20, in a 15-10 defeat to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference foe Marist, marking the end of the road for the eight graduating seniors on the Gaels’ roster. 

Despite not making the MAAC Tournament this year, the Gaels reached their high point this season during an 8-7 overtime win against Sacred Heart on March 13, scoring on the only shot that was taken in that overtime period by freshman Katherine Meyer, after junior Sarah Strange was sent off in the second half due to receiving a red card. 

The Gaels could not ride the momentum from that victory to bring them any other wins, although they played tough all year and went into many games tied at the half or only behind by a goal or two. Senior Shannon McCaffrey was a force to be reckoned with in the net, averaging over nine saves per game, including numerous big saves during the overtime game against Sacred Heart, as well as during their 14-17 loss against Quinnipiac on April 3. Leah Marshall lead the team in goals scored this season, racking up 24. Senior Christine Gironda performed for the Gaels as well, earning 20 assists across 18 games. 

McCaffrey led the team in saves and ground balls this season. She came in clutch as the game went on, making around two-thirds of her saves in the second half of the game. The Gaels’ attacking side was there to back her up as well, as they averaged nearly 25 shots on goal a game, but it was Shannon who came up big by facing an average of 32 shots per game. 

The eight graduating seniors McCaffery, Gironda, Parker Brown, Kathryn Flannigan, Katie Beyer, Maureen Murphy, Libby Miller and Danielle Keenan are now saying goodbye to Mazzella Field as they move on from their undergraduate careers.