NEWARK, NJ - Iona College women's soccer freshman Rachel Bucolo's goal on a quick counter attack in the 57th minute was all the scoring in the visiting Gaels' 1-0 win over NJIT on Lubetkin Field. Iona earned its first win of the season with the victory.

With NJIT moving out of the back to near midfield, Iona's Abby Dixon gained control around 35 yards from the Highlander goal and sent a quick pass ahead to Bucolo, who broke free down the middle at the 25. Bucolo carried into the box, where her hard ground ball shot from 15 yards away beat diving Highlander goalkeeper Sadie Mele at 56:46.

Mele made six saves in the NJIT goal, while Iona's Suzanne Baldissard had three saves in notching the shutout.

The final shot totals were 15-10 for the visitors, but 9-6 in favor of NJIT in the final 45 minutes after Iona's 9-1 first-half advantage.

Iona had a distinct territorial advantage in the first half, but less than a handful of plays were dangerous for either side as both defenses were solid.

NJIT had the first major threat, although the play in the 23rd minute didn't result in a shot. Erika Taugher sent a nice crossing pass across the goalmouth from the right corner, but teammate Katie Hepfinger, open at the far post, just missed getting a foot on the feed as it crossed in front of her.

Iona's best opportunity of the first half was a 12-yard shot by Dixon from straight on that Mele stopped.

The game opened considerably in the second half, with NJIT putting more pressure from midfield into the attacking third of the field and Iona countering and building some other attacks of its own.

Amanda Bayiokos and Aine O'Dwyer, who came on as halftime subs, had a hand in NJIT's control of midfield to start the half and Bayiokos was a factor throughout the final 45 minutes, winning free balls and getting off three shots. Taugher, too, created problems for the visiting defense throughout the half.

About three minutes after Iona had scored its goal, NJIT freshman Xiomara Medina's shot from 15 yards sailed just over the top with Baldissard off her goal line.

Iona had two more plays that were similar to the one that yielded its goal, but Mele made the stops, handling a shot from Carol Danis in the 66th minute and a 20-yarder from Christina Rizzi 10 minutes later.

NJIT, which put on its heaviest offensive pressure over the final 20 minutes, had another good opportunity in the 80th minute. Freshman Kori Washington gained control about 10 yards from the goal line and about 10 more yards wide of the right post. Her shot, which had to be taken quickly from the difficult angle, went wide right.

The Gaels have a two days off before traveling to West Point, NY to take on Army on Tuesday evening.