NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College women’s soccer team won its first conference game of the seasonWednesday night, defeating Fairfield on the road, 4-3. The Gaels ended a nine-game losing streak using a three-goal offensive barrage in the second half in addition to an outstanding defensive effort. It was the Maroon & Gold’s first win over Fairfield since 2011.
Iona was outshot 39 to 10 in the game, but senior goalkeeper Taylor Rice guarded the goal line well making 13 saves, allowing the opportunity for her offenses best performance of the season to lead the Gaels to a victory.
Fairfield struck first during the 8th minute when junior Cassidy Boegel scored her third of the season off an assist from freshman Holly Habyan. Iona would knot things up in the 20th minute with a goal from freshman Megan Wood; sophomore Julia Campagna supplied the pass that led to Wood’s second of the season.
The Maroon & Gold turned up the offensive pressure in the second half, scoring three unanswered goals in a 13-minute stretch. Sophomore Charlotte Stuart began the streak in the 51st minute with her first of two on the nights. Just four minutes later, junior Erika Flowers placed herself on the score sheet with her second goal of the season. Stuart would add her second goal of in the 65th minute, finding the net once again, this time via an assist from junior Emily Hansen.
Fairfield would make the Gaels’ heart race in the final moments, scoring twice in the final 20 minutes. Senior Karolyn Collins scored in the 73rd minute to make the score 4-2, and junior Anna Borea cut the deficit to just one in the 88th minute with a penalty kick strike.
Iona defended itself well against 11 corner kick opportunities for Fairfield; such a scoring chance was a distinct disadvantage for the Gaels being that they did not attempt one all game long.
The Maroon & Gold host Canisius at Mazzella Field on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2:00 pm.