NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College women's soccer team played to a 1-1 tie with Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference leader Monmouth at Mazzella Field. The Gaels remain unbeaten in MAAC play at 3-0-2 and two points behind the Hawks at the midway point of the conference season.

Monmouth got on the board early in the contest, finding the back of the net in the seventh minute. Senior Dana Costello took a shot from a hard angle on the left side of the goal that was saved by Gael keeper Trista Rivera. The rebound caromed just far enough away from Rivera for senior Monique Plescia to poke it away and score from inside six yards on an open net at the 6:14 mark. The Hawks and Gaels played relatively even soccer to the midway point of the contest with the shots even at 4-4 following the goal.

The visitors turned up the intensity after halftime and had numerous scoring opportunities turned away by Rivera. The Hawks had an 8-1 shot advantage with Iona's goalie making seven saves heading into the final five minutes of the frame.

In the 87th minute, a well struck cross by sophomore Alex Chinich found the foot of classmate Kara Maguire just outside the six-yard stripe. Maguire one-timed the pass into the back of the net to tie the score at 1-1 with 3:58 left in regulation.

Monmouth added three more shots wide of the net before the second half clock expired.

In overtime, the Gaels weathered a Monmouth storm, and a 4-1 shots disadvantage to forge the 1-1 tie.

Rivera made 12 saves and allowed just the one goal from a Hawk squad that scored 11 times in its first four MAAC contests this year. Her counterpart, Ashley Lewis had three saves.

The Gaels hit the road to take on Rider on Saturday (Oct. 12) at 1:00 pm.