New Rochelle, NY - The Iona College women's soccer team took four shots in the first half and found the back of the net twice to take a 2-0 lead over Marist. Freshmen Ali Werner and Carol Danis gave the Gaels (2-12, 0-3) a 2-0 lead after the first half, but the Red Foxes (5-3-2, 2-0) got three goals in the second half, including the game-winner from Merrilynn Esteve in the 84th minute as they edged Iona 3-2.

The Gaels and Red Foxes each had a pair of corner kicks early in the match, but neither team could find the back of the net until the 11th minute. Werner picked up her first goal of the season as she put one past Marist keeper Caitlin Nazarechuk to give the Gaels a 1-0 advantage. Less than 5 minutes later, Danis picked up her team leading fifth goal of the season to give the Gaels a 2-0 lead at the half.

The Red Foxes controlled the second half as they outshot the Gaels 7 to 4 and got back into the match as Keri Koegel cut the lead in half with an unassisted goal in the 52nd minute. Just about twenty minutes later, Marist got the equalizer as Katie Zasly got one past junior keeper Suzanne Baldissard to tie the game at 2. The game remained tied until the 84th minute when Esteve was setup by Koegel for what proved to be the game winner.

The Gaels had their chances as junior Stephanie Sommers just missed wide and had one saved by Allison Lane, who played the second half in goal for the Red Foxes. The Gaels also had two late corner kicks from sophomore Mariel Pepe but couldn't convert as Marist came all the way back to down the Iona 3-2.

The Red Foxes outshot the Gaels 11 to 8 and 10 to 4 in shots on goal. In addition to Werner, Danis, and Sommers, Pepe and freshman Diane Hare each picked up assists. Baldissard finished the game with 7 saves and upped her season total to 61 saves.

The Gaels return to action on Sunday, October 14 as they welcome Siena to Mazzella Field at 12 PM.