FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart women's lacrosse team mounted a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to force overtime but ultimately fell to Iona, 8-7, in a double-overtime heartbreaker on Friday afternoon in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action at Campus Field. 

Jamie Tanner led the way offensively for Sacred Heart with two goals and one assist, while Maggie Araneo added two goals and a helper of her own. The Pioneers' strong defensive effort, coupled with goalie support, kept them in the game through a challenging first half, which saw Iona build a 4-1 lead.

Records:
Sacred Heart (6-9, 4-4)
Iona (7-8, 6-2)

Postseason Notes:
The Pioneers closed the regular season with a 4-4 league mark to earn the sixth seed in the 2025 MAAC Women's Lacrosse Tournament. SHU's postseason journey kicks off on Friday, April 25th, as they take on the seventh-seeded Quinnipiac Bobcats in Loudonville, N.Y. The time of that match is yet to be determined. 

The winner of the Pioneers-Bobcats game will square off against host and third-seeded Siena Saints in a second-round showdown on Sunday, April 27. 

Top Performers:
Jamie Tanner – 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) | 1 caused turnover
Madelyn Breitbeil – 4 caused turnovers | 5 ground balls
Maci Black – 4 caused turnovers | 4 ground balls 
Erin Herrold – 1 point (1 goal) | 1 ground ball | 2 draw controls

Between the Pipes:
(SHU) – Lisa Martin: 8 goals-against | 8 saves 

How it Happened:
Iona opened the game with a 4-1 first-half lead, taking advantage of early opportunities and a pair of woman-up goals. Sacred Heart's lone first-half score came from Araneo, who finished a feed from Tanner late in the first quarter to make it 2-1 at the time. 

In the second quarter, Kate Krueger tallied her second of the day at 8:33—this time unassisted on another man-up opportunity—to give Iona a 4-1 cushion. Sacred Heart showed some life late in the quarter, as Araneo netted her second goal with 6:16 left, off a nice assist from Shae Insinga. Tanner pulled SHU within one at 2:25 with an unassisted effort, sending the teams into halftime with Iona up 4-3.

The Pioneers were held scoreless in the third period, while the Gaels outscored the hosts 2-0, doubling their lead to 6-3.

Trailing 7-3 early in the fourth, the Pioneers showed grit and resilience, scoring four unanswered goals in the final 13 minutes of regulation. Herrold sparked the rally with an unassisted goal at the 13:03 mark, followed by tallies from Taylor Farace and Tanner. With just 23 seconds remaining, Insinga delivered the equalizer, knotting the game at 7-7 and sending the contest into overtime.

After a scoreless first OT period, Iona's Calen Norton netted the game-winner off a feed from Natasha Newport at 5:13 in the second overtime to seal the victory for the Gaels.

MAAC Tournament Schedule
Hosted by: #3 and #4 Seeds in First and Second Rounds | Top Overall Seed in Semifinals and Championship Round
First Round - Friday, April 25
1 - No. 5 Niagara vs. No. 8 Rider 
2 - No. 6 Sacred Heart vs. No. 7 Quinnipiac  

Second Round - Sunday, April 27
3 - No. 4 Iona vs. Winner Game 1 
4 - No. 3 Siena vs. Winner Game 2    

Semifinal Round - Friday, May 2
5 - No. 1 Mount St. Mary's vs. TBD    
6 - No. 2 Fairfield vs. TBD        

Championship - Sunday, May 4
7 - Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6