STATEN ISLAND, NY - The Iona University women's soccer team won 1-0 at Wagner on Sunday afternoon behind
Faith Preziosi's third goal of the season. The victory is Iona's fourth straight and the Gaels remain the only unbeaten team in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
MATCH SUMMARY
One goal was the difference in today's match at Hameline Field and it came in the opening 10 minutes of action. Very similar to the game-tying goal Iona scored in its home opening victory over Lafayette three days earlier, Preziosi was the benefactor of a perfect cross from Samantha Hogan. Kate McNally placed a pass that propelled Hogan towards goal and saw her veer off and use as much space as she could before grounding a pass towards Preziosi in the middle of the box to open the scoring.
Following the goal, Emma Havrilla made the first of her eight saves in her fourth win this season. The graduate keeper made four more saves in the first half, holding off Wagner's attack that entered Sunday riding a two-match win streak.
The Maroon & Gold had a few chances to add another goal and cushion its lead in the second half, namely Kedarjah Lewis and Preziosi on two separate instances. Lewis had nothing but net in front of her on a cross that was perhaps a hair too long as her right foot guided the ball up too high and away from the cage. Preziosi got in behind the defense at one point, but was called offside. Havrilla remained stout in net for Iona, stopping three more Wagner chances for an equalizer and earning her fourth "W" of the 2022 campaign.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Preziosi's goal is her third in as many matches and the 20th of her career, the second-most in an individual career in program history. It was also the 50th point of her career, another milestone for the Parsippany, New Jersey native.
- Havrilla also moved up in Iona's record books with today's victory marking 19 for her career, tied for second most in Iona's history. She is two wins away from tying the program record for most goalkeeper wins in a career.
- Iona improved on its historic start to the season, remaining unbeaten (4-0-2) with an .833 win percentage and sitting atop the table among its conference counterparts.
- Hogan and McNally had the primary and secondary assists, respectively, on Preziosi's goal. Hogan and McNally pace the squad with three assists this year and are tied for third-most on the team with five points in six games this season.
- The shutout is Havrilla's second of the season and the 11th of her career, third-most in program history. Her eight saves today mark a season best.
AROUND THE MAAC
- Fairfield 3 - Sacred Heart 1
- Cleveland State 3 - Niagara 2
UP NEXT
Iona returns to New Rochelle to begin a five-game home stand, including its first two league matches of the season. VMI visits Mazzella Field on Thursday, September 8 to begin the five-game stretch that spans the remainder of the month.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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