NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College women's soccer team began Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play hosting Marist this afternoon at Mazzella Field.  The Gaels struck first in the contest, but were defeated by a score of 4-1.

Iona (1-8-2, 0-1 MAAC) opened a 1-0 lead exactly 24 minutes into the match on Kerrie Deignan's second goal of the year.  Leah Taylor curved a ball from the left sideline to Deignan, who was positioned in front of the goal to deposit it into the back of the net.

The Red Foxes (6-4, 1-0 MAAC) evened the score four minutes later as Rycke Guiney tapped a slow roller out of the reach of Iona goalie Trista Rivera.  Tied at 1-1 entering the second half, Marist pulled ahead with a 58th minute tally Amanda Epstein.  A minute and a half later, Gael defender Leah Taylor made a great block on a shot by Epstein, but the Guiney collected the rebound and scored her second goal of the day to put Marist up 3-1.

Marist's Jaclynn Sabia closed out the scoring in the 81st minute with an unassisted blast from close range, leading to the 4-1 final.

Rivera ended the day with six saves while Marist's Andrea Wicks saved five.  Deignan led the Gaels with three shots on goal.  The squad returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 2, hosting Siena at 12:00 pm.