NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Third year head coach Sarah Brady has announced the 2018 schedule for the Iona College women's soccer team. The youthful Maroon & Gold team, which includes 11 new student-athletes on the roster, will remain local and play teams throughout the tri-state area.

"We are excited to play a heavy New York based schedule as it gives us a chance to play regularly in front of our supporters in the local community," stated coach Brady.

Iona's first game is on Friday, Aug. 17 at Sacred Heart in Fairfield, CT. The Gaels last matched up against the Pioneers in 2015 where they fell at Campus Field in overtime, 3-2. Army comes to New Rochelle, NY on Tuesday, Aug. 21 after having eked by Iona in West Point last year, 1-0.

The Maroon & Gold have an extended five-game road trip that begins on Friday, Aug. 24 at NJIT. They'll travel to face back-to-back America East opponents, Binghamton and Albany, on Sunday, Aug. 26 and Friday, Aug. 31. Wagner hosts Iona on Sunday, Sept. 2 in Staten Island, NY and LIU Brooklyn wraps up the swing on Sunday, Sept. 9.

Last season the Gaels came away with a 2-1 victory in overtime at home against the Blackbirds. Both the Great Danes and Bearcats shutout the Maroon & Gold in 2017 at Mazzella Field in early September. Last year's five-game home stand ended with the Gaels and Seahawks battling to a 2-2 draw.

Binghamton and Albany finished second and third, respectively, in the America East standings last season. The Maroon & Gold's final non-conference game in 2018 is at home against common foe Stony Brook. The Seawolves defeated Iona in Long Island, 3-0, last season and went on to capture the 2017 America East Championship.

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference season begins on Saturday, Sept. 15 at home against Niagara. The Gaels take a week off before hosting Marist on Saturday, Sept. 22. Iona travels travels to Hamden, CT to battle Quinnipiac on Wednesday, Sept. 26, and the come following weekend, the Gaels will be in Buffalo, NY facing Canisius on Saturday, Sept. 29.

The calendar turns to October and Iona hosts Rider at Mazzella on Wednesday, Oct. 3. The Maroon & Gold travel to Loudonville, NY on Saturday, Oct. 6 before hosting the Fairfield Stags and Manhattan Jaspers on Wednesday, Oct. 10 and Oct. 17. The two-game stretch mirrors Iona's final two games of the 2017 season in the MAAC Tournament where the Maroon & Gold upset Fairfield in penalty kicks in the opening round before falling to Manhattan in the quarterfinals.

The MAAC season concludes on the road in New Jersey with contests against Saint Peter's and defending league champion, Monmouth.

Coach Brady and assistant coach John Stalzer return an energetic team that sees the promising talent of sophomores Kelsie Kearns and Katie Benson return to the back line. Seniors Megan Wood and Mariana Jaramillo and graduate Christine Rebus bring back a strong midfield core while capable goal scorers Lisette Palomo, Mariah Elsenheimer and Amber Crispin arrange the attack.

All home games will be broadcasted live over ESPN3 or ESPN .
 
Be sure to follow Iona College College athletics and women's soccer on all social media platforms:
ICGaels: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Iona Women's Soccer: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram