Julianna Iovine led the Jaspers to victory in the first MAAC game of the season. @GOJASPERS/ COURTESY
By Mary Haley, Asst. Social Media Manager
The Manhattan College women’s lacrosse team has seen success in their last three games with the two most recent games being wins in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) competitions.
On Saturday, Mar. 25, Julianna Iovine took the game at Canisius by storm with a hat trick. Reagan Mullins also was a star of the game by scoring twice, bringing the Jaspers closer to their end win of 9-8. The victory kicked off the first of eight MAAC games the Jaspers will take on in the next coming weeks.
Senior Reagan Mullins described how the game went and what it was like to win their first and second MAAC games of the year.
“It was definitely a team win … I think both of the MAAC games were team wins,” Mullins said. “So that’s a great feeling because we have a bunch of players contributing to that win. It makes me excited for future play but all around the vibes are really high and I think on both ends of the field, defense and offense, we’re just clicking.”
Women’s head coach Jenna Dingler spoke on how the team was able to find such success at the first MAAC game and strive confidently for the rest of the season.
“Every game against any MAAC opponent is going to be really competitive from here on out, but we have full faith in our team,” Dingler said. “I know that there wasn’t a person on the team that doubted that we could win that game and follow through on it. So full of confidence, and it was a really good test of what we’re capable of for this season.”
The team went through preparation to not only win these past two MAAC games but also prove their consistency.
“I think our coaches prepared us well with our film discussions and implementing drills and our practices that prepare us against the offense and defense,” Mullins said.
“I really like to go into every game knowing that we did our homework and we are ready to ace the test,” Dingler said. “We’re transparent with the team. We ask them if they feel prepared. At the game time, it’s really in their hands and we’re just there to facilitate, so I think that the preparation was huge for us going into these next two games.”
Dingler also spoke on what it means to her to coach the women’s lacrosse team and see the consistency in the team being developed in their wins.
“I really love being a coach and I love the opportunity that I have to mentor these young women, and I really just hope that at the end of their careers, they can look back on this experience as one of the most exciting parts of their [lives],” Dingler said. “That’s something I really take pride in as a coach.”
Iovine spoke with The Quadrangle on how it felt to score a hat trick and carry the game at Canisius.
“The best part of scoring is the reaction and support I get from the rest of my team and coaches, we’re all so excited for each other when we score,” Iovine said.
To have reached her success so far at Manhattan College, it has taken Iovine years of hard work and dedication. Coming from Nashville, Tennessee, Iovine spoke on why she decided to further her career at Manhattan and what it’s been like playing for the Jaspers over the past three years.
“I spent most of my life up here in the north, but there’s not a lot of people here that are from the south,” Iovine said. “It’s definitely different going to school here rather than a lot of my friends from home going to southern schools, but I love it and I am glad I can play lacrosse here, it’s a competitive area.”
One of the influences behind Iovine’s decision to start her career as a division one athlete at Manhattan was her older sister who played division one soccer at the college. Iovine learned of the college from her sister who shared her experiences, which gave Iovine familiarity with the Manhattan community. Iovine also credited the coaches she met, saying she “got along well” with them, which is what made her decision final to come to Manhattan.
Iovine also spoke on what has been the reason for her commitment to lacrosse for so many years, as she started playing in the third grade.
“Obviously my team, it gives you a family of 30 people, and everything that we do throughout the year, every obstacle we face, every hard practice in the fall, the games just make it worth it,” Iovine said. “I have the time of my life on the field. It’s just fun to play, and even better being with teammates and people who are supporting you along the way.”