NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College women's soccer team fell to Bryant in the season opener by a final score of 2-1. Sophomore forward Faith Preziosigot Iona even with the Bulldogs with a goal in the 25^th minute, but a second-half tally from Bryant would ultimately decide the outcome.

GAME SUMMARY

Bryant's first chance came in the seventh minute via a free kick sent towards the box by Jamie Irwin. Iona's goalkeeper, Emma Havrilla, converged on the ball near the top of box along with a few others but was unable to stop Remi Manna's header from finding the back of the net. 
 
Ciara Guglielmo and Katie Benson both sent shots towards the goal in succession in the 22^nd and 23^rd minutes, but Meghan Dalton made the save on both tries. 
 
Two minutes later, Preziosi sent a right-footed shot into the back of the net, with some help from the crossbar, to even the match at one apiece. Redshirt sophomore Mackenzie Meixner booted the ball deep down the left side and allowed her teammate to use her speed and finish the play.
 
Mariah Elsenheimer, Julia Peschetti, Taylor D'Alessandro and Meixner all recorded shots before the end of the half, but both teams went into their respective locker rooms deadlocked at 1-1.
 
Just over four minutes into the second half Bryant's Kylie Ratelle found the back of the net to make it a 2-1 game. Freshman Samantha Hogan had a great opportunity to find the equalizer in the 72^ndminute, but Dalton contested her chance with a slide and kept Iona off the board.
 
The Gaels would not go down easy as time dwindled, going for goal three times in the final 10 minutes of action, but Bryant managed to hold off Iona and escape with a win in the 2019 season opener.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• Preziosi's goal was the sixth of her career and the first of the season for the 2018 MAAC All-Rookie selection.
• Meixner assisted on the lone tally for the Maroon & Gold, notching the first helper of her career.
• Havrilla faced just five shots from the Bryant offense, recording three saves.
• Iona fired 20 shots, 10 of which made their way on net. The 20 shots surpassed the Gaels 2018 season high of 18, a mark they reached twice last year.
• The Gaels doubled up on the Bulldogs in shots (20-10), shots on goal (10-5) and finished with one more corner kick.
• Bryant controlled possession by a 56-44 percent margin.

UP NEXT

The Gaels welcome Northern Arizona to Mazzella Field this Sunday, August 25 for a matchup at noon.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Be sure to follow Iona College athletics and women's soccer on all social media platforms:
ICGaels: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (E-Mail Updates)
Iona Women's Soccer: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (E-Mail Updates)