New Rochelle, NY - The Iona College women's soccer team controlled the action all game as they downed Rider 2-0 in their second to last game of the season. The Gaels (5-13-1, 3-4-1) and the Broncs (5-9-3, 1-6) battled early with each team trying to find their rhythm. The Gaels kept the Broncs out of their end while the Broncs had a hard time doing the same. The Maroon and Gold's persistence paid off as in the 21st minute, freshman Abby Dixon fed classmate Rachel Bucolo to give the Gaels a 1-0 advantage.

Dixon brought the ball up the pitch and fed a great through ball to Bucolo. Bucolo then took the ball full speed and outran the Rider defenders and put it past freshman keeper Alex Post, who tried to cut off the angle. The rest of the first half was a quiet one and though the Gaels went into the half with the lead, Rider outshot the Gaels 5-3.

The Gaels defense was stifling in the second half as they allowed just two shots. The Gaels put the game away in the 76th minute as senior Christina Rizzi picked up her first of the season. Junior Liz Allan fed Rizzi in the box who flipped the ball over Post into the back of the net. Rider tried to get the ball into the Iona end but couldn't muster any offense as the Gaels held on for a 2-0 victory.

The Gaels outshot the Broncs 9-7 for the game and 3-2 on shots on goal. Junior keeper Suzanne Baldissard made two saves. The Gaels close out the regular season at Mazzella Field this Sunday, November 4 against Loyola (MD) at 12 pm. It will be Senior Day and the Gaels and head coach Eric Teepe will honor Christina Rizzi, Megan Turnbull and Leeann Sudol.