NEW ROCHELLE, NY - After falling behind 2-0 before halftime, the Iona College women's soccer team outscored Saint Peter's 4-0 in the second half to earn its first conference win of the year. The Gaels ended a three-game winless streak with the 4-2 victory and are now 1-0-1 in MAAC play and 3-9-1 overall.
Sophomore
Leah Taylor led Iona's offense with two goals and an assist. Taylor registered her first goal of the season, and Iona's second of the day, in the 58th minute on a corner kick coordination with
Gabriella D'Aprile and
Lisa Murer. A similar approach by the Maroon & Gold had been successful eight minutes prior, with Taylor and D'Aprile assisting on a tally by
Abby Dixon to put the Gaels on the scoreboard in the 50th minute.
Leanne Benson provided the go-ahead goal for Iona with help from
Ali Werner and
Christina Tesoriero to put the Gaels up 3-2 with 25 minutes remaining in the contest. Taylor closed out the scoring with her second marker of the day after
Diane Hare sent the ball down field to tack on an insurance goal.
Saint Peter's had opened the match with a 2-0 lead early in the first half. Courtney Sundstrom launched a shot that hit off the left post and into the net for her first goal of the season in the 10th minute. Emily Fenice later connected with Danielle Connolly, who put the ball in the net off a throw-in by Maria Tommasini.
In the game, Iona led 21-9 in shot attempts and 7-2 in corner kicks. Goalkeeper
Trista Rivera made two saves to pick up her third win, while Erin Ronan saved three for the Peahens.
The Gaels put a wrap on a three-game home set with a noon contest against Manhattan on Sunday.