FAIRFIELD, CT — The Iona University women's soccer team extended its unbeaten streak to five games on Wednesday night with a 1-0 road win at Sacred Heart. Junior Marissa Graziano delivered the game winning goal in the 54^th minute on the penalty kick at Park Ave Field to give the Gaels the win over the first-place Pioneers.
 
Graziano tallied her first goal of the season and the seventh of her career with the Maroon & Gold. It was also the fourth penalty kick goal of her career. Sophomore Kayla Kalbaugh registered her second consecutive shutout with a career-high nine saves in goal for the Maroon & Gold.

GAME SUMMARY

Sacred Heart looked to set the tone early off the opening kick-off firing a shot on goal just 35 seconds into the game, forcing Kalbaugh to make an early save.
 
Momentum shifted toward the Gaels with an 8-1 margin on shots in the next 18 minutes of action. Reigning MAAC Defensive Player of the Week Kyran Thievon made four stops for Sacred Heart during that stretch.
 
The first place Pioneers quickly took back control on the offensive end, firing five more shots on goal in the final 25 minutes but Kalbaugh was there took keep the game scoreless.
 
Out of the halftime break the Gaels looked to break through early on a long throw in attempt in the 54^rd minute. A throw from junior Daija Jones on the right side went towards the center of the box and was knocked down by an outstretched arm of a Sacred Heart defender prompting a penalty kick call from the referee.
 
Graziano stepped up to take the penalty kick and got Thievon to bite towards the right side as she buried it to the lefthand side to give Iona the 1-0 lead.

Down the stretch Sacred Heart looked to net the equalizer to keep its own five-game winning streak alive. The Pioneers outshot Iona 10-0 over the final 21 minutes of action. Kalbaugh came up clutch with three big saves in the 61^st minute, 78^th minute and 85^th minute to secure the shutout win for the Gaels.

TEAM STATS

• Sacred Heart led the game with a 17-9 margin for shot attempts including a 9-5 favor over Iona in shots on goal.
• The Pioneers attempted five corner kicks while Iona was held to zero for the first time this season.
• There were 22 fouls called in the conference tilt and three cards handed out, two to the Gaels and one to the Pioneers.

UP NEXT

The Gaels are on a bye weekend in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play. Iona heads back to Mazella Field for the final two games of the regular season. First up, is a 10 a.m. matchup against Quinnipiac on Saturday, October 25 in the opening game of a doubleheader with the men's team.