Sacred Heart
2-6, 1-0MAAC
Iona University
3-6, 0-1MAAC
Women’s Lacrosse Holds Off Late Rally to Defeat Iona, 5–4
3/21/2026 2:09:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Pioneers open MAAC play, 1-0
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Behind two goals apiece from Erin Herrold and Jamie Tanner and a strong performance in net from Madalynn Eder-Linell, the Sacred Heart University women's lacrosse team opened Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play with a thrilling 5-4 win over Iona on Saturday afternoon at Mazzella Field.
Final Score:
Sacred Heart – 5
Iona – 4
Team Records:
Sacred Heart (2-6, 1-0 MAAC)
Iona (3-6, 0-1 MAAC)
Top Performers:
Erin Herrold – 2 points (2G) | 2 GB | 3 CT
Jamie Tanner – 2 points (2G) | 1 GB | 2 DC
Brook Gyllenhaal – 8 GB | 1 DC | 5 CT
Between the Pipes:
SHU – Madalynn Eder-Linell: 4 goals-against | 7 saves
How it Happened:
Sacred Heart jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, getting on the board at the 12:32 mark when Tanner finished a feed from Nadine Galiano. Just over three minutes later, Herrold doubled the advantage with an unassisted strike to give the Pioneers a 2-0 edge. The defense held Iona scoreless through the opening frame to establish early control.
Iona responded in the second quarter, cutting into the deficit at 6:43 as Jocelyn Smith converted a pass from Bella Duffy to make it 2-1. Sacred Heart answered quickly, as Tanner netted her second goal of the day at 2:18. Herrold added another with just 23 seconds remaining in the half, finishing a feed from Ryann Kearns to send the Pioneers into the break with a 4-1 lead.
The Pioneers extended their advantage early in the third quarter when Melina Lange scored at the 13:27 mark to make it 5-1. Iona began to claw back late in the quarter, scoring twice to trim the deficit to 5-3 heading into the fourth.
In the final period, Haley Lauer brought Iona within one at 3:33 with an unassisted goal, but Sacred Heart's defense held firm over the closing minutes to secure the 5-4 conference-opening victory.
Up Next:
The Pioneers return home to Campus Field on Wednesday, Mar. 25, for a midweek match up against crosstown rival Fairfield at 3:00 p.m.
