NEW ROCHELLE, NY— The Iona University women's soccer team picked up its second Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory with a 1-0 win over Saint Peter's on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Payton Foster scored the game winner for the Maroon & Gold in the 68th minute at Mazzella Field.
 
Foster recorded her third goal of the season. Graduate student Kate McNally and senior Kedarjah Lewis recorded assists on the goal, their fourth and second assists of the season respectively. Rookie goalkeeper Kayla Kalbaugh tied her career-high with eight saves in her second straight shutout.

GAME SUMMARY

Saint Peter's attempted to dictate the pace of play from the opening kickoff, attempting a shot on goal from the left side just three minutes in but Kalbaugh was there to make the stop. The Gaels' first look came in the 10th minute as sophomore Marissa Graziano rifled the free kick chance from 18 yards out with Annabelle Adams making a diving stop to keep the game tied.
 
The middle portion of the opening half was controlled by the Peacocks as Kalbaugh made two more point-blank saves. Iona had one more opportunity in the 32nd minute on another free kick from 20-yards out. Graziano stepped up and sent a laser over the wall of defenders toward the top left corner, but Adams was there for another diving stop. Iona held a slight 7-6 lead on shots as the game went into the intermission.
 
Both teams challenged early in the restart with both keepers tallying a save in the first 10 minutes of play. Saint Peter's nearly took the lead in the 56th minute as a shot by Olof Hildur Tomasdottir clanked off the crossbar from 20-yards out. The Peacocks continued to work the ball in the attacking third as Kalbaugh made back-to-back saves in the 63rd minute.
 
Iona got going from there drawing a corner kick a few minutes later. After a few shots that went wide there was another corner kick chance in the 68th minute. McNally took the corner from the right side, sending the ball to the center of the box. Lewis got a foot on the ball fighting through traffic in front. Foster was there to bury the rebound and give the Gaels a 1-0 lead.
 
Iona continued to hold possession in the Saint Peter's end, drawing three more corner kicks in a 10-minute span but were unable to connect cleanly as the Peacocks defense held the line.
Saint Peter's made one last push on the offensive end in the 86^th minute looking for the equalizer. A pass in front from six-yards out fell to the feet of Heidi Miles as she fired the ball towards the right post but Kalbaugh was there to deny the chance and preserve the shutout win for the Maroon & Gold.

TEAM STATS

• For the second time this season, Iona tied its opponent in shot attempts at 13-13. Saint Peter's held an 8-4 margin for shots on goal.
• Iona recorded eight saves via Kalbaugh in goal, tying her career high. Adams made four saves for the Peacocks.
• The Gaels attempted a season-high 10 corner kicks while Saint Peter's attempted four corner kicks. 

AROUND THE MAAC

Fairfield moved to the top of the league standings with a 1-0 home win over Mount.
Quinnipiac downed Canisius, 1-0 to remain unbeaten against conference foes.
Sacred Heart earned a 1-0 victory on the road at Siena. 
Manhattan went on the road and earned a 1-0 win at Niagara.
Rider earned its first league win with a 3-0 victory at home over Merrimack.

UP NEXT

The Gaels travel to New Jersey for a matchup with Rider on Wednesday, October 16 for a 7:00 p.m. contest at Ben Cohen Field.