EMMITSBURG, Md. (March 23, 2024) – Senior Christina Haspert came off the bench to score a hat trick for the first time this season as Mount St. Mary's fell 12-7 to the Iona Gaels in the 2024 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opener.  
 
Haspert was instrumental in the team's game-tying rally in the first half, scoring all three goals in succession. The Skyesville, Maryland attacker, battling back from an injury as a junior, recorded her first hat trick since May 2022 when she achieved the feat against Wagner.
 
Mackenzi Furlong also had a three point game, scoring twice while adding an assist. Logan Cook and Madison Harmening contributed to the goal count, and Anna Salerno earned one assist. Ashlyn Watkins finished with a career-high of 15 saves.
 
Five Iona players totaled two goals each. Alexa Maggiacomo and Kira Varada also tacked on an assist for three-point afternoons.
 
After the efforts of Haspert and Furlong allowed the Mount to level the contest at 4-4, Iona answered with a quick 4-0 run, needing only 64 seconds of playing time to go back up 8-4. The Gaels' defense extended the run into the third quarter as the Mountaineers were held off the scoreboard until a strike from Cook early in the fourth.
 
Mount St. Mary's stands at 2-6 (0-1 MAAC) this year, and Iona is now 6-2 (1-0 MAAC).
 
On Wednesday, March 27, Mount St. Mary's battles Niagara in a home contest. First draw takes place at 4 p.m.