BUFFALO, NY - The Iona College women's soccer team was edged by Canisius, 4-3, in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action on the road to begin the final weekend of the regular season.  The Gaels wrap things up on Sunday at Niagara before heading to Lake Buena Vista, FL for the MAAC Championship.

Iona struck first in the match, opening a 1-0 lead 7:08 into the contest.  Junior Ali Werner scored her first goal of the year on an assist from sophomore Kerrie Deignan.  After falling behind, the Golden Griffins came back to take a 4-1 advantage as four different players found the back of the net over a seven-and-a-half minute span.

The Gaels answered with a Kendra Chisolm tally in the 39th minute to close out the scoring in the first half.  The lone second half goal came off the foot of Iona junior Diane Hare, who helped the Maroon & Gold pull to within one mark in the 58th minute.  Iona attempted five more shots and a corner kick after that point but was unable to make up the gap.

Werner and freshman Gabriella D'Aprile led the Gaels with four shots each as both teams recorded 16 shots in the contest.  Senior goalkeeper Suzanne Baldissard made seven saves for Iona while Canisius's Daniella Pettinari had one save.