BUFFALO, NY – The Iona College women's soccer team lost at Canisius on Tuesday afternoon, 2-0. The Golden Griffins scored twice in the second half, with the second goal coming in the final minute of action to sink the Maroon & Gold.
MATCH SUMMARY
Both offenses started slow on Tuesday afternoon at Demske Sports Complex, with each side registering just one shot in the opening 20 minutes of action. Iona's
Alexis Atkinson tried the first shot for the Gaels, a ball heading for under the crossbar that Canisius goalkeeper Jessica Jones saved.
Emma Havrilla, making her fourth start in goal for Iona, wasn't truly tested until nearly 30 minutes into the match. Havrilla made a stop on the first shot on goal by Canisius, but watched as the other three tries by the Griffs sailed high or wide of the cage. Atkinson's shot in the 19th minute was the only attempt for the Maroon & Gold in the first half.
Canisius broke the scoreless tie just under a minute into the final 45 minutes of play. Tiani Fonoti beat Havrilla to give the Griffs the 1-0 lead. From that point on, Canisius started letting shots go. Havrilla stopped Fonoti as she tried for a second goal in the 57th minute, then watched two shots miss the net a couple minutes later.
Havrilla made consecutive saves in the 74th, 75th and 78th minutes, keeping Iona's hopes of finding an equalizer alive. The Gaels dreams of tying the match were dashed and the proverbial nail was inserted into the coffin when Jen Romero put one past Havrilla in the 90th minute. The Gaels fell to 0-3-1 on the season with the loss.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Iona's three shots came from Atkinson, Haggerty and Hogan. Shots on goal were registered by Atkinson and Hogan.
- The Gaels were outshot 14-3 and Canisius held an 8-2 edge in shots on goal.
- 10 of the Griffs' 14 shots came in the second half.
- Gabriella Cocucci made her first start of the season for the Gaels, playing 85 minutes.
- Havrilla played the full match in net, matching a season-high with six saves.
AROUND THE MAAC
- Siena moved to 3-0-0 on the season, taking down Saint Peter's 4-1.
- Monmouth battled in-state rival Rider, defeating the Broncs 2-1.
UP NEXT
Iona travels down to New Jersey to take on the Saint Peter's Peacocks on Friday, April 2 at 4:00 p.m. on ESPN3.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow Iona College athletics and women's soccer on all social media platforms:
ICGaels: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (E-Mail Updates)
Iona Women's Soccer: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (E-Mail Updates)
