BUFFALO, NY — The Iona University women's soccer team dropped a back-and-forth affair in Western New York on Saturday afternoon to Canisius, 3-2 at Demske Sports Complex. The Gaels after striking first then rallied to tie the game in the second half before the Golden Griffins picked up the final tally to take the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference matchup.
Iona was paced offensively by rookie duo
Alli Little and
Mikayla Thompson who both netted their first collegiate goals. Junior
Marissa Graziano and sophomore
Dolene Smith tallied assists. Sophomore
Kayla Kalbaugh recorded three saves in goal for the Gaels.
GAME SUMMARY
The two sides were level in the opening 10 minutes of action with each firing a shot attempt. Iona broke through first with a corner kick attempt in the 15
th minute. Smith lined up the corner from the left side and drilled a low running cross into the near post. Little was there for the chip in shot for the early 1-0 Iona lead.
Canisius answered in the 28
th minute with a charge in the attacking third. A well timed cross on the right side from Azaria Fagan found Mia Iacona wide open for the header at the doorstep to knot the game up at 1-1.
The Golden Griffins looked to attack early in the second half with three early shot attempts in the first five minutes, capped by a save from Kalbaugh. One more charge in the 55
th minute, resulted in a called Iona handball inside the box. That setup Jessica Whitaker to bury the penalty kick goal to the lower left hand side to give Canisius a 2-1 lead.
Iona did not back down, continuing to push the ball forward as the half ticked down. A free kick opportunity was had just past midfield in the 76
th minute. Graziano sent a booming kick into the box that bounced through traffic. Thompson was there to place a left footed shot past Canisius goalkeeper Chloe Tseros to tie the game up at 2-2.
Canisius would bounce back, drawing a corner kick at the tail end of the 78
th minute. A booming cross from Jessica Whitaker found Lizzy Harkness for the header to jump ahead 3-2.
The Gaels had one last look at another equalizer in the 88
th minute as a shot by rookie
Ava Barker was savd by Tseros to preserve the home win.
TEAM STATS
Was a near even day on shots as Canisius held a 13-11 advantage and a 6-5 margin on shots on goal.
Iona led with seven corner kick attempts to the Golden Griffins six corners.
There were 27 fouls called and six cards handed out in the conference matchup.
UP NEXT
The Gaels continue the road swing with a matchup on Wednesday, September 1 for a 4 p.m. contest in Jersey City against Saint Peter's.