NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona University women's soccer team downed first-place Quinnipiac, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon at Mazzella Field.
Sofia Giamanco's goal was the decisive one, while
Emma Havrilla made three saves to secure the shutout and the victory for the Maroon & Gold on homecoming at Iona University.
MATCH SUMMARY
Quinnipiac had the early chances, controlling possession during the early going in New Rochelle. Havrilla made two of her three saves in the opening 31 minutes of action, stopping shots from Courtney Chochol and Rebecca Cooke.
The lone goal of the match came in the 43rd minute on a set-piece following a foul. Mackenzie Meixner's pass into the box found the head of Giamanco and then the back of the net. The goal was the first of the season for Giamanco and the first goal allowed by Sofia Lospinoso since October 1.
Iona continued to stymie Quinnipiac's attack in the second half, benefitting from a straight red given to Paige LaBerge in the 68th minute. Down one player and pressing for an equalizer, Quinnipiac allowed a few counter-attack chances to Iona. The Gaels could not cushion its lead, but it wasn't necessary. The Maroon & Gold finished the shutout and knocked off the first-place Bobcats on homecoming weekend.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Giamanco's goal was her first of her senior season and fourth point. The goal was the third of her career and her first since scoring in October of her freshman season against Delaware State.
- Meixner had the lone assist on Giamanco's goal, setting her up with a perfect delivery on a free kick. The assist was the ninth of her career and second of the season. The graduate defender now has 11 career points.
- Havrilla made three saves en route to her fifth shutout of the season. With back-to-back clean sheets, Havrilla is now tied for the most shutouts (14) in program history.
- The Gaels are the first team to shutout the Bobcats this season and join Yale as the only other program to hand Quinnipiac a loss thus far. Quinnipiac had not been shutout since falling 4-0 at the hands of Monmouth in last season's MAAC Championship.
- Iona has now won three consecutive against Quinnipiac and three straight against the Bobcats at Mazzella Field. Quinnipiac owns a narrow 6-5-1 edge in the series history despite Iona's recent success.
- With today's victory, Iona moved into fourth place in the MAAC standings.
AROUND THE MAAC
- Mount St. Mary's 1 - Siena 0
- Niagara 1 - Rider 0
- Fairfield 2 - Canisius 1
- Marist hosts Manhattan at 7:00 p.m. in Poughkeepsie, New York.
UP NEXT
Iona makes the trip up to Western New York to face off with Niagara on Wednesday, October 19. The Gaels and Purple Eagles kick-off at 3:00 p.m. on ESPN+.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow Iona athletics and women's soccer on all social media platforms:
IonaGaels: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (E-Mail Updates)
Iona Women's Soccer: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (E-Mail Updates)
