BROOKLYN, NY - The Iona University women's soccer team won its second straight contest, defeating St. Francis Brooklyn 3-1 on Sunday to remain undefeated in 2022.
Sofia Banegas,
Kedarjah Lewis and
Faith Preziosi all netted goals to propel the Maroon & Gold to victory.
MATCH SUMMARY
Banegas got things going early on for Iona, scoring the first goal of her collegiate career in the sixth minute. Banegas played a ball that Preziosi left for her, sliced through the middle and grounded a right-footed shot past the keeper off her line to give the Maroon & Gold the early 1-0 advantage. Just over 13 minutes later, Preziosi tallied her first goal of the season to cushion Iona's early lead. Lewis had the primary assist, crossing a ball in front that Preziosi played mid-air with her right foot into the upper-right corner of the net.
St. Francis Brooklyn cut into the Iona lead with a penalty kick goal in the 31st minute. Isabelle Gollette went left and Emma Havrilla went right on the penalty try, making it a 2-1 game with just under 14 minutes to play in the opening half in Brooklyn. The Terriers had a pair of corner kicks in the closing minutes of the half, but did not register a shot off of either.
Lewis, after assisting on an Iona goal in the first half, netted one herself to put the match away in the second half. Emily Drake lofted a pass that Lewis ran down behind the defense, raced towards the net and blasted a shot that hit the crossbar and came down into the net. The goal was her third in as many games and granted the Maroon & Gold a 3-1 advantage on the scoreboard.
Iona would cruise to a second-straight victory and wrapped up its four-game road trip to start the season without a loss.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Banegas' goal that started the scoring was the first of the sophomore's collegiate career.
- Preziosi's goal was the first of her season and the graduate student is now one goal shy of second-most (18, Amber Crispin) in program history.
- Lewis finished the day with a goal and an assist and is now up to eight points (three goals, two assists) through four games this season. Lewis is currently tied with Rider's Makenzie Rodrigues for the league lead in points.
- Havrilla made two stops, playing all 90 minutes, and earning her second victory of the season.
- Iona improves to 2-0 all-time against St. Francis Brooklyn, with both wins coming during the Todd Plourde era in New Rochelle.
AROUND THE MAAC
- Detroit Mercy 2 - Canisius 1
- Yale 4 - Quinnipiac 1
- Syracuse 2 - Siena 0
- Niagara 1 - Navy 0
- Rider 6 - Delaware State 0
- Lafayette 3 - Saint Peter's 1
- Towson 2 - Mount St. Mary's 0
UP NEXT
Lafaytette visits New Rochelle for the Gaels' home opener on Thursday, September 1. Admission is free at Mazzella Field for the 4:00 p.m. start between Iona and Lafayette.
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)
