PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Iona University women's soccer team opened the 2025 season with a 3-0 setback at Temple. In a rematch from last season, the Owls pulled away from the Gaels with a two-goal second half at Temple Sports Complex.
GAME SUMMARY
Temple broke through in the sixth minute after a short corner was cleared outside the box. A second ball touch from the Owls went towards the left side just inside the six-yard box as Ariana Gronauer chipped home the ball for the 1-0 advantage.
After back-to-back corners from the Owls in the 15
th minute, the Gaels finally cleared the ball away looking for a breakout attempt. Senior
Krystal Haertter delivered a through ball into the opponents half to first-year forward
Ava Barker in the 16
th minute. The rookie rifled a shot from eight yards out that was kick saved by the Temple keeper Tamsin Bynoe.
Iona had another look in the 19
th minute as a deep throw in bounced in the center of the box, sophomore
Dolene Smith fired a shot amid defensive pressure that missed just left of the goal. The Gaels continued to look for the equalizer as the opening half ticked down. An opportunity arose in the 38
th minute with a Temple foul just outside the 18-yard box. Junior
Marissa Graziano took the free kick for the Maroon & Gold and fired a shot to the lower right post, but Bynoe was there for the diving stop.
Both teams were even on shot attempts through the opening half with five apiece. The Gaels attempted seven corner kicks to the Owls four corner attempts.
Temple added to its tally just 42 seconds into the restart with a quick attack after Iona took the opening kick of the second half. A right footed shot from Sabrina Campbell to the bottom left of the goal from just outside the 18-yard box.
Iona had its first chance of the second half in the 52
nd minute as a shot off a corner kick by junior
Victoria Ryan was blocked by the Temple defense. The rebound was sent back to rookie
Addisyn Lamothe-Vaughn who passed the ball high inside the six-yard box. Smith tipped the ball toward the right corner, just hitting off the post.
A foul inside the box gave the Owls a penalty kick opportunity in the 64
th minute. A strike to the left side by Valentina Bitterwolf gave the home side a 3-0 advantage.
Temple continued to hold the Gaels at a distance from there with the Maroon & Gold firing just one shot attempt the rest of the game. A 73
rd minute strike from senior
Mia DiPronio that missed just high.
Iona split up time in goal as sophomore
Kayla Kalbaugh played the first 49 minutes, recording on first half save. Junior
Savannah Rogers played the final 41 minutes and made two saves. Smith led the Gaels with three shot attempts and Graziano added two shot attempts.
TEAM STATS
- Temple held a 12-8 advantage on shot attempts and a 6-4 margin for shots on goal.
- The Gaels attempted 10 corner kicks while conceding six corner kicks for the Owls.
UP NEXT
The Gaels kick off an eight-game home schedule for 2025 on Sunday, August 17 at Mazzella Field. Iona welcomes women's soccer alumnae to campus for
Alumnae Day prior to the 4 p.m. contest.