NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona University women's soccer team put on a clinical display of offensive firepower, surging past Saint Peter's, 4-1 at Mazzella Field. Dictating the pace early, the Gaels built a 2-0 cushion before halftime. The Maroon & Gold continued their relentless attack in the final 45 minutes, blasting two more second-half goals while holding Saint Peter's to one goal to secure the dominant conference victory.
THE RUNDOWN
Senior Marissa Graziano generated relentless pressure inside the first 17 minutes, earning a penalty kick after being fouled in the box. Though her initial penalty kick was saved by the Peacocks' goalkeeper, Graziano stayed sharp and pounced on the leftover rebound, driving the ball home to put the Gaels ahead early. Pressure off a set piece paid off when a loose ball in the box following a corner kick deflected off a defender. Senior
Camille Daniel seized the opportunity, striking with her right foot to collect her goal and extend the lead before halftime.
Right out of the halftime break, rookie Lauren DeLaurentis slipped past her defender along the flank and sent a crisp cross into the box, where junior Dolene Smith finished cleanly to cap off the build-up and make it 3-0. After Saint Peter's pulled one back, junior Sammie Misiolek responded instantly, unleashing a spectacular 40-yard set-piece strike that soared past the keeper to seal the four-goal performance for the Maroon & Gold.
IONA PERFORMERS
- Graziano opened the afternoon's scoring her 3rd goal of the season
- Daniel capitalized on a scramble following a corner kick scoring her first goal of the season.
- Misiolek delivered the highlight of the day, blasting a long-range set piece home for her first collegiate goal.
- Smith convert off a precise cross for her 6th goal of the season.
TEAM STATS
- The Gaels out shot the Peacocks by a commanding 22-11 margin.
- Heavy set-piece production rewarded the home side throughout the afternoon, leading directly to two of their four goals.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- The four-goal outburst was accomplished for the second time this season.
- Four different players found the back of the net in the victory (Graziano, Daniel, Smith, and Misiolek).
UP NEXT
Iona travels to Quinnipiac on Saturday, October for noon a Metro Conference showdown at QU Soccer & Lacrosse Stadium.
