NEW ROCHELLE, NY –The Iona University women's soccer team looked to continue its hot start to the season Wednesday afternoon, battling Lafayette to a physical 0-0 draw in hot and humid conditions at Mazzella Field. The Gaels moved to 2-0-1 on the season with the result, remaining unbeaten through their first three matches.
Junior
Kayla Kalbaugh made three saves for the Maroon & Gold in her second shutout of the season and sixth of her career. Catherine Apker made five saves in goal for Lafayette.
GAME SUMMARY
The Gaels set the tone early in the match, pressing high and forcing Apker into three saves within the opening 15 minutes. While Iona could not convert those early chances into a goal, that energetic opening spell set the aggressive tempo. Iona dictated the opening pace of the contest, unleashing a flurry of three shots on target in a quick five-minute stretch. Junior
Dolene Smith started the surge with Iona's first test on goal in the ninth minute, followed by dangerous chances from senior
Camille Daniel and graduate student
Zaheira Hegazi that Apker managed to turn away.
The Gaels sustained that offensive pressure through the remainder of the first half, entering halftime holding an 8–5 edge in shots along with three corner kicks.
Chances were harder to come by for both sides after halftime as the physicality picked up. Two teams traded four shots each and two attempts on target in the second half. Senior
Marissa Graziano had a prime chance to get the Gaels on the board in the 73rd minute but she was halted by Apker who tallied her fifth save of the match. The physical intensity escalated into the second half with 12 fouls committed between the two sides.
Iona made a final push in the closing minutes, earning an 87th-minute corner kick beforeone final shot that went wide in the 90th minute as time expired to settle for the first draw of the season.
TEAM STATS
- Iona out shot Lafayette 12 to 9, with five on target to the Leopard's three on goal.
- The Gaels created more set piece opportunities, drawing a season-high five corner kicks compared to Lafayette's one corner kick.
UP NEXT
This weekend is the 2026 Welcome Weekend at Iona University and the Gaels play host to Delaware State on Saturday, August 22 with a 1 p.m. kick-off at Mazzella Field.
