HAMDEN, CT - The Iona University women's soccer team lost to No. 2 Quinnipiac, 1-0, in the 2024 MAAC Championship Quarterfinal game on Sunday afternoon. The Gaels gave it their all but came just short against a tough Bobcat team.
The Gaels best opportunities came in the first half when junior
Krystal Haertter, grad student
Madison Lennon, and freshman
Sofia Bigeni all had chances on goal. Haertter's shot was saved on the goal and went to VAR review and was ultimately determined that it did not cross the line. A goal for Quinnipiac in the 53rd minute was enough to lift them to a victory and move on to face Canisius in the Semifinals.
MATCH SUMMARY
The first half was a back and forth duel between two defenses who refused to break. Senior
Myla Rodrigues and Sophomore
Marissa Graziano held the Bobcat attack to six shots with only two on goal in the first half. Freshman goalkeeper
Kayla Kalbaugh was excellent and handled every ball that came her way.
In the 25th minute, the Gaels had thought they broke the ice and found the first goal as Haertter's shot looked to have crossed the line. The officials decided to go to replay review and deemed it was in fact saved before the whole ball crossed the goal line and the game remained even at zeros.
Iona, while lacking time of possession, had the best chances of the half and looked ready to capitalize going into the break.
Coming out of the break, Quinnipiac was ready to push up field and use their counterattack to break the deadlock. Courtney Chochol played the ball into the box and found the boot of Aisling Spillane who managed to get her shot past Kalbaugh and take the 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute.
The Maroon and Gold's offense could not find an answer in getting past the back line of the Bobcats. On the other hand, strong defense from graduate student
Kate McNally and freshman
Mia Davis aided to the center-back partnership in keeping the game tied it.
In the 69th minute after winning a free kick, Quinnipiac was ready to strike with a perfectly placed ball to the top right corner, but a heroic diving save from Kalbaugh kept the Gaels alive. Another massive save in the biggest game of her young career.
Finally with the last kick of the game, Graziano sent a curving ball that went through the Bobcat keeper's hand but just wide of the net and time expired ending the Gaels season.
The Maroon and Gold finish the 2024 season 6-11-4, 4-7-2 MAAC record.
TEAM STATS
- The Bobcats held a 12-5 advantage on shots for the game with a 4-1 total for shots on goal.
- Kalbaugh and Iona made three saves while Quinnipiac made one.
- The Bobcats led the Gaels with an 6-2 margin on corner kicks for the game.
Around the maac championship
- #1 Fairfield welcomed #8 Sacred Heart and won 1-0.
- #3 Canisius played #6 Merrimack winning, 2-0 at home.
- #4 Siena hosted #5 Manhattan and was upset 1-0 in a last minute goal.
