SYRACUSE, NY — The Iona University women's soccer team capped its opening week with a 2-1 road win at Le Moyne on Sunday afternoon. After a scoreless opening half, the Gaels took charge in the second stanza to earn the victory at Ted Grant Field over the Dolphins.
Iona drew a player advantage in the last 20 minutes of the game after a Le Moyne red card. Junior
Dolene Smith got the scoring started in the 66
th minute for her second goal of the season. Rookie
Natalia Arango registered her first collegiate goal and eventual game winner in the 84
th minute.
Senior
Daija Jones and sophomore
Mikayla Thompson recorded their first collegiate assists on the opening tally. Smith tallied her first assist of the season and classmate
Mia Davis recorded her first collegiate point with an assist on Iona's second goal. Junior
Kayla Kalbaugh made three saves in goal for the Gaels.
GAME SUMMARY
It was a slow start in both team's second contest of the opening week. Le Moyne held momentum early, firing two shots on goal in the first 30 minutes but Kalbaugh was there to make the saves.
Iona showed signs late in the opening half with two shot attempts in the 35
th minute but were unable to capitalize.
The Gaels came out hot after the halftime break with three shot attempts to one by the Dolphins in the first 13 minutes. Le Moyne was putting on a charge shortly thereafter with a steady attack in the Iona zone before a second yellow card and ejection flipped the script in the 60
th minute.
Iona capitalized six minutes later as Thompson sent a pass out right to Jones just past midfield. The senior sent a long ball in to just outside the 18-yard box that was chased down by Smith who fired a right-footed shot top shelf and into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
The Gaels continued to mount the attack from there and found the back of the net once again in the 84
th minute. Davis played a long pass down the left side that was picked up by Smith. The junior dribbled down to the 18-yard box and hit Arango with a centering pass and the rookie rifled a right footed shot to the back left corner of the goal for the 2-0 favor.
Le Moyne finally countered in the 87
th minute courtesy of a free kick opportunity as Emma Sousa curved a shot over the Iona wall towards the left post from 25-yards. Iona would hold on from there to secure its second consecutive win.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Iona has bested Le Moyne in each of the last two seasons and is 3-1 in the all-time series between the two schools
- Smith led the Gaels with three points, recording her ninth career goal and fifth career assist. It was the first game in her collegiate career with one goal and one assist.
- Four firsts for Iona as Arango recorded her first collegiate goal and Davis, Jones and Thompson recording first career assists.
- Kalbaugh logged three saves and recorded her 11th win in goal for the Maroon & Gold.
- The Gaels outshot the Dolphins 13-9 overall and 7-4 for shots on goal.
UP NEXT
The Gaels return home for a three-game homestand at Mazzella Field. First up is a 1 p.m. matchup against Lafayette on Wednesday, August 16.
