NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Iona College senior Amber Crispin continued her knack for scoring big-time goals late Saturday morning, aiding the Maroon & Gold in getting their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win of the season. The Gaels bested the visiting Saint Peter's Peacocks on Mazzella Field, 1-0.

GAME SUMMARY

Saint Peter's committed a foul in the box, resulting in a penalty kick for the Maroon & Gold in the 69'. Crispin buried the attempt, rattling the nylon and giving Iona the ultimate gaming-winning score. It's Cripsin's second game-winning goal of the season. With the strike, she has set a new career-high for goals in a single-season.
 
To that point of the match, it was mounting frustration for Iona. The Gaels outshot Saint Peter's 12-0 and had a 4-1 corner kick advantage in the first half. The Peacocks gave the Maroon & Gold a scare with their first and only shot on goal in the 67', forcing Iona goalkeeper Emma Havrilla to make her loan save of the match.
 
After Crispin's score, Saint Peter's did not have another shot and the Maroon & Gold attempted just two additional. There was a red card issued to a Saint Peter's player in the final minute of regulation.
 
The aforementioned thwarting of offensive chances for Iona was most prevalent in the final 10 minutes of the first half. Rookie Samantha Hogan had a shot targeted for net but Saint Peter's turned it away with a team save. Then fellow rookie Sofia Giamanco took an off-target attempt. Iona had three straight corner kick attempts at 37:55, 38:07 and 38:29. It wasn't the end barrage, junior Kelsie Kearns had a shot on target on late in the 39' and Giamanco had a second shot off target just a minute later.
 
Despite the chances, it was only Crispin's penalty kick goal that lit up Mazzella Field's scroreboard.
 
Iona outshot Saint Peter's 18-2 in the game. Havrilla had to make just one save in her clean-sheet effort. The Gaels had five corner kicks compared to two for the Peacocks.
 

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• Crispin's seventh goal set a new career-high. She also tied a career-best with 14 points this season, matching last season when she had six goals and two assists.
• Crispin in three-for-three on penalty kick chances this season, with other goals coming on the road against Army (Sept. 11) and Marist (Sept. 22).
• Crispin is sitting just outside the top-five in program history with 34 points. She now has sole possession of fourth place in the career goals category with 15.
• Iona's 18 shots are its second third highest total this season. Over the last two games, the Gaels offense has generated 45 shots. On Wednesday, Oct. 9, the Maroon & Gold had a season-high 27 shots.
• Havrilla has her second solo shutout performance of her career. Her first came as a rookie against Wagner.
• Iona improves its record this season to 4-9-2, 1-3-1 MAAC. The Gaels improve their all-time record against Saint Peter's to 13-2-2. The Maroon & Gold have never lost a home game to the Peacocks.

UP NEXT

Iona's next game is against the defending MAAC Champions, Monmouth. The Gaels and Hawks kick-off on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. on Mazzella Field.

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