NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona University women's soccer team lost 2-1 to Saint Peter's in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener on Saturday afternoon at Mazzella Field.
Kayla Thomas scored her third goal of the season, but it was all Iona could muster on a frustrating day in New Rochelle.
MATCH SUMMARY
Iona had the early chances at goal, seeing shots by Samantha Hogan and Emily Drake sail and a Faith Preziosi shot blocked away before reaching the keeper. The first shot sent Emma Havrilla's direction sailed high and a little left. Through 20 minutes of scoreless action, Saint Peter's controlled the tempo and began to settle in. A wave of Iona subs hoped to flip momentum, but the Peacocks would continue to possess the ball and eventually open the scoring.
Fatou Doucoure gave the visitors a 1-0 lead with her first goal of the season in the 36th minute. Iona had some chances immediately following the goal, but Sofia Giamanco's shot was saved and Kiera Haggerty and Alexis Atkinson missed the cage. The Maroon & Gold entered the half trailing by one.
Out of the halftime intermission, Saint Peter's added to its lead. In the 50th minute the Peacocks capitalized on an Iona giveaway and made it a 2-0 game in New Rochelle. Iona fought hard to climb back into the match, eventually earning a penalty kick after a handball in the box. Sofia Banegas stepped up to take it, ringing a right-footed shot off the corner of the goal where the post meets the crossbar. Following the miss in the 69th minute by Banegas, the Maroon & Gold would get on the board in the 71st minute of action. Thomas scored her second goal in as many contests after once again finding a loose ball and cleaning things up in front of the net. The one goal was all Iona mustered, despite some chances down the stretch off the feet of Gabby Dellocono and Haggerty.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Thomas now owns goals in three of her last four contests played. She has now tallied a goal in back-to-back games and boasts the second-most goals scored on the team.
- Banega's penalty kick try was Iona's first of the season and the first since Nicole Whitley buried one at Saint Peter's to kickstart a 3-2 come-from-behind victory on April 2, 2021.
- The Gaels finished with advantages in shots (12-9), shots on goal (4-2) and corner kicks (6-2).
- There were a combined 35 fouls between the two squads, as well as a pair of yellow cards issued to Victoria Mule and Banegas.
- Haggerty made her season debut for the Maroon & Gold, tallying two shots (one on goal) in 51 minutes of action off the bench.
AROUND THE MAAC
- Quinnipiac 4 - Niagara 0
- Mount St. Mary's 2 - Marist 2
- Fairfield 3 - Siena 0
- Canisius 2 - Rider 1
UP NEXT
The Gaels return to action next Saturday, September 24 at home against Mount St. Mary's. Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. at Mazzella Field.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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