NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College women's soccer team lost a heartbreaker to Siena in its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference home opener. Senior Amber Crispin scored the Maroon & Gold's lone goal two minutes into the match.

GAME SUMMARY

Crispin got the party started early for the Gaels, scoring in the second minute of the match. The senior received a pass up ahead from teammate sophomore Faith Preziosi and blasted a shot into the right side of the net to make it 1-0 in favor of Iona. 

Crispin had another chance 10 minutes later, but was stopped by Taylor Dorado. The Saints had a corner kick in the 22nd minute that led to the team's first shot, a dribbler that sophomore Emma Havrilla scooped up.  

Andrea Ferrer tried her luck from outside the 16-yard box at the 30-minute mark, but was unsuccessful. Dorado didn't need to make a stop on Kiera Haggerty's try five minutes later, as it sailed wide of the cage. 

Sofia Giamanco got tangled up on a play inside the box and her shot attempt missed. Siena had one last chance late in the first half, but was called offside and the Saints ended the first half with just one shot altogether. 

The first 12 minutes of the second half were dominated by Siena, possession wise. The Saints tried five shots, forcing Havrilla to make two saves, after just one shot in the opening 45 minutes of action. 

Iona could get next to nothing going offensively other than a Preziosi shot in the 60th minute. The Gaels had a corner 12 minutes later, but could not procure a shot attempt. A long run up ahead the near sideline by Preziosi was whistled offsides, continuing Iona's offensive woes.

Then, Siena's Carrie Krohn found the equalizer on a pass from Amber Alfonzo in the 79th minute. Iona picked up the pace, but the long runs for the Maroon & Gold continued to prove ineffective. Crispin's shot attempt was stopped by Dorado and Iona was again called offsides.

With just over a minute left in regulation, the Saints had a shot sail wide on a corner kick try. A last ditched effort by Iona from inside the box was cleared out by the Siena backline and the match would need overtime to decide a winner.

Not even three minutes into overtime, Siena's Ashleigh Sarafin darted past the defense and scored the golden goal to complete the comeback. Sarafin's initial shot bounded off the post but came back out to her and she finished her second chance to end the match.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• Crispin's goal was her team-leading sixth score of the season and the 16th of her career. 
• The Gaels were outshot 10-2 in the second half. 
• Preziosi recorded her third assist of the year and now leads the team with 15 points. 
• The Gaels had one corner kick compared to Siena's three. 
• Crispin led the way with three shots on goal.  

UP NEXT

Before starting a three game home stand, Iona travels to Manhattan on Wednesday, October 9. The match is scheduled to start at 7 PM at Gaelic Park and will be streamed on the Jasper Sports Network.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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