NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College women’s soccer team lost to Monmouth late Wednesday afternoon, 3-1. With the loss, the Gaels fall to 0-2 in conference play, while the preseason favorite Hawks improve to 3-0.
The scoring began when Erika Murphy of Monmouth buried an opportunity in the 13th minute of a cross from teammate Alexis McTamney. The junior attacking combination fired five shots on goal during the game, and Murphy would score her eventual MAAC leading tenth goal of the year later in the contest.
After surrendering the early goal, the Gaels went on the offensive and via quick passing, drew a penalty shot. At 35:21 in the first half, senior Kim Marra scored her first goal of the season on the earned PK opportunity; she pushed the shot past the outstretched arms of the Hawks goalkeeper into the back right corner.
The score remained tied at one until the 40th minute, at which moment Monmouth would be given a chance to score on a penalty kick. An Iona defender was called for a push in the back, leading to the aforementioned second goal of the game for Murphy.
Monmouth would add onto their lead late in the first half; the applied heavy pressure in the box, and after a mishit by an Iona defender, the ball found itself in the back of the net off the foot of Rachel Ivanicki for her fifth of the year.
At the half, Iona trailed 3-1, and was outshot 8-3. The discrepancy in goal scoring opportunities widened in the second half, however the Iona defense stiffened itself and allowed no further goals in the game. The Hawks fired 13 shots in the final 45 minutes, but senior Taylor Rice made six saves in the second half to keep the Maroon & Gold within striking distance throughout the contest.
Marra led Iona with three shots, sophomore Charlotte Stuart fired two on net, junior Erika Flowers and sophomore Christine Rebus each had on shot for the game.
Iona is next in action this Saturday, Oct. 3 at Rider in Lawrenceville, NJ for another MAAC matchup.