NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Maroon & Gold fell in its home-opener Friday afternoon, falling to Columbia by a final of 4-0.  The Lions scored three times in the final 25 minutes to seal the victory, earning their season-opening win, and sending the Gaels to 0-3-0 thus far this season.

The opening portion of the first half brought with it lots of pressure from Columbia.  Junior Tiffany Martinezwas forced to make two close-quarters saves just four minutes into the game.  Senior Grace Taylor fired a shot on Iona’s net, and followed it up with a quick rebound attempt, but the Gaels goalkeeper was up to the early challenge.

Columbia would get on the board at the 9:27 mark when sophomore forward Emma Anderson chipped a shot in over the keeper from just outside the box.  The Gaels were forced on their heels having to face five more shots in the next 14 minutes.

The Gaels first shot at 27:52 when senior defensemenEmily Hansen rocketed a shot on net that forced sophomore net-minder Sophie Whitehouse to make a save for Columbia. Sophomore midfielder Mariana Jaramillo recorded a shot attempt in the 33’ that went wide right.

The final 13 minutes of the half proved uneventful, allowing the halftime buzzer to sound with the score still favoring the Lions 1-0.  Columbia had 10 shots in the first half compared to Iona’s 2.  Neither team had a corner kick attempt in the opening 45 minutes.

Iona came out blazing in the second half; at 49:15 Jaramillo fired a long-distance shot that had to be pushed over the crossbar by Whitehouse.  The Gaels steadiest offensive presence of the game came closer in the 51’ when she hit the cross bar; the rebound was put into the back of the net but was disallowed do to an offside call.

The Lions were able to calm the Gael momentum, eventually overturned it with a score at 65:59.  Sophomore Emma Anderson scored her first of the season and Columbia’s second of the game off a right-side cross from Anderson.

The floodgates opened when Columbia scored two goals within eight minutes of each other; senior Madeline Linde and junior Holly Seshat each scored to push the lead to the eventual final, 4-0.

Columbia ended the game with an advantage in shots, 19-7 and corner kicks, 6-1.  For the second consecutive game, Jaramillo led the Maroon & Gold with four shots.

Iona’s next game will be against another Ivy league opponent in Dartmouth.  The Big Green host the Gaels Sunday, Aug. 28 at 1:00 PM.