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Iona University Athletics

2024 Iona WSOC Season Opener
Joe D'Aloisio - Iona Athletics
2
Winner Akron AKR (1-0-0, 0-0-0)
1
Iona ION (0-1-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Akron AKR
(1-0-0, 0-0-0)
2
Final
1
Iona ION
(0-1-0, 0-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Akron AKR 0 2 2
Iona ION 1 0 1

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Brian Duane / Assistant AD / Athletic Communications

Iona WSOC Drops Season Opener to Akron, 2-1

NEW ROCHELLE, NY— The Iona University women's soccer team fell to University of Akron, 2-1 on Thursday afternoon in the 2024 season opener. The Gaels held the first half lead but were unable to counter a second half comeback from the Zips at Mazzella Field.
 
Junior Kendall Infantino recorded her first career goal in the 43rd minute on a header in the box off a free kick from sophomore Marissa Graziano. The equalizer from Akron came in the 66th minute of play before the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute to jump out in front. Iona had three chances in the final minutes but were unable to tie the game back up.

GAME SUMMARY

The Zips commanded pressure early after the opening kick-off and finally mounted an attack in the 14th minute of play but were denied as sophomore goalkeeper Savannah Rogers picked up back-to-back saves in front of the goal.
 
Iona's attack mounted back-to-back chances in the 27th minute as senior Sofia Banegas and freshman Dolene Smith fired shots on goal that were stopped by the Zips goalkeeper Penelope Cuirinier.
 
Rogers fended off the Zips attack with two more first half saves in the 30th and 32nd minute. Momentum shifted to the Gaels favor working in the offensive zone as the opening half wound down.

The Maroon & Gold drew a foul in the Zips end in the final minutes of the opening setting up a free kick for Graziano from 30 yards out. She found Infantino cutting to the center of the box to lift a header into the top back left corner for the 1-0 lead.
 
Iona looked to add to its tally in the second half opening with a 3-1 shot margin through the first 15 minutes of play in the half.

Akron caused a turnover in the 66th minute near the half line, leading to a breakout down the Iona end. A through ball from Shani Sirota set up a breakaway run for Rachel Wenztel. After three dribbles down the right side, Wenztel fired a shot from eight yards out to the left corner of the goal to tie the game at 1-1.
 
The Zips continued to carry possession after the equalizer, eventually drawing a foul in the 80th minute just outside the box, 15 yards out on the left side. That set up a free kick opportunity for Morgan Pentz, who lined the long ball to the far-right corner of the net past the diving attempt from freshman Kayla Kalbaugh for the 2-1 advantage.
 
Iona looked to tie the game back up in the final 10 minutes, with two shots in the 84th and 85th minute by junior Zaheira Hegazi and sophomore Payton Foster just missing off target. One final attempt for the Gaels came in the final minute of a play with a free kick from 15-yards out, Hegazi cut to the far left post off the set play, looking to knock in the game tying goal but the header was stopped by the knockdown save from Cuirnier to give Akron the 2-1 win.

TEAM STATS

  • Both teams were tied in total shots for the game with a 13-13 total. Akron held a slight 6-5 advantage with shots on goal.
  • The two teams also tied in saves with Rogers and Cuirnier both recording four apiece.
  • Iona drew four corner kicks in the opener while Akron attempted just one in the second half.

UP NEXT

The Gaels hit the road to Loretto, Pennsylvania on Sunday, August 18 for a 1:00 p.m. matchup at Saint Francis University. The game will air on NEC Front Row.  
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