NEW ROCHELLE, NY— The Iona University women's soccer team picked up its first win of the season against Temple, 2-0, in a non-conference contest at Mazzella Field Thursday. The Gaels and Owls were scoreless in a defensive battle in the first half.  It was not until sophomore Payton Foster broke through in the 52nd minute off a corner kick from the right side then six minutes later followed up with another header off a corner kick in the 58th minute from the left side.

GAME SUMMARY

The first half started with a strong pair of attacks from Temple with its two shots in the first seven minutes of the game. After that, it was all Iona, with seven total shots and three on target, while having 62% of possession in the half. The Gaels best chance came in the 37th minute when sophomore Victoria Ryan fired two shots, one saved and off on net. Freshman Gianna Peracchio also contributed two shots on goal in the half.

Iona was ready to hit the ground running out of the break following a Temple offside, the Gaels pushed down the field earning a corner. Graduate student Kate McNally sent a perfectly placed cross and Foster was ready to head the ball into the net from six yards out. It was Foster's first goal of the season and first of her Iona career.

Off the ensuing kick off, Temple pushed its way down the field and Shari Atkins got a shot off, but went just wide right. Iona increased the pressure gaining three straight corners in the span of three minutes. On the third corner, McNally put in another excellent placed ball right to Foster who used her head, from about four yards out, to secure her second goal of the afternoon for the Gaels.
 
Following the second Iona goal, Temple made a few pushes that resulted in two important saves from freshman Kayla Kalbaugh, who entered at halftime. These big stops came in the 62nd and 72nd minutes. 

The Gaels' defense was able to see out the final 15 minutes of the second half to secure the victory with ease and get in the win column this season. It was a two-goalie effort to gain the clean sheet. In the closing minutes, Temple was able to gain a corner, but ultimately their attempts ended with nothing as the backline of Iona proved to be a wall.
 
Foster led the team with three shot attempts and two goals. Kalbaugh earned the win and made two saves in the effort.

TEAM STATS

• Iona out shot Temple, 12-10 for the contest. The Gaels got seven shots off on goal in the first half and five in the second.
• Iona held a 5-2 advantage on corner kicks with four corners coming in the second half.

UP NEXT

The Gaels head to Syracuse for their next matchup on Sunday, September 1, with a 1 p.m. start against Le Moyne at Ted Grant Field.