NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University women's soccer team returned to Mazzella Field after a three-game road swing, falling to reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champions Fairfield 3-0 on Saturday afternoon. The Stags jumped out to a two-goal first half cushion to pull away from the Gaels in the league tilt.

GAME SUMMARY

The Stags playing the first conference game of the year set the tempo early against the Gaels. Junior Savannah Rogers made a point blank save for the Maroon & Gold in the 5^th minute of play.
 
Fairfield used crisp passing to set up a goal from Ashley McMahon that found the top left corner of the goal in the 12^th minute for the 1-0 lead. The visitors kept the pressure and found the back of the next in the 19^th minute on another well-placed shot from Sam Kersey over the diving reach of Rogers.
 
Offense was slow for the Gaels in the first 45 minutes with just one-shot attempt from junior Marissa Graziano. Rogers made for first half saves for Iona.

The pace was back and forth out of the halftime intermission as the Gaels looked to get on the scoreboard. Iona gained its first two corner kick attempts 25 minutes into the restart attempting to generate off set plays. A corner from the right side sent into the mixer and bounced toward rookie Ava Barker to attempt a shot in traffic but Katie Wright was there to make the save.
 
Fairfield capped the scoring in the 80^th minute as McMahon tapped in a loose ball at the doorstep to bring the final score to 3-0. Rogers registered a season-high seven saves in goal for the Maroon & Gold.

TEAM STATS

• Fairfield outpaced Iona with a 18-4 advantage on shot attempts and a 10-1 ledger on shots on goal.
• The Stags led with a 7-2 margin for corner kick attempts with five coming in the first half.
• 19 combined fouls between the two sides with Iona receiving one yellow card.

UP NEXT

The Gaels are back on the road next weekend with a trip to Merrimack on Saturday, September 20. Kick-off from Martone-Mejail Field is slated for noon.