NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College women's soccer team lost 4-1 to NJIT on Sunday afternoon. Sophomore Andrea Ferrer scored her first goal of the season in the second half to make it a 2-1 deficit for the Gaels; two more goals for the Highlanders would put the match away.

GAME SUMMARY

Both sides played a very competitive first 30 minutes of the first half. NJIT tested Havrilla early in the match, getting off three shots in the first seven minutes of play and forcing the Gaels to make two saves, one of which was a team effort on a scramble in the box. 
 
Iona's first shot didn't come until after the 20-minute mark when Faith Preziosi's shot sailed out wide of the cage. Sofia Giamanco tried one a few minutes later, also missing the mark.
 
Siani Magruder would get the Highlanders on the scoreboard first, scoring on a free kick from just past midfield that skipped on one hop over Havrilla's head. Two minutes later, Magruder's sister found the back of the net; Alexis Magruder put one past Havrilla on a feed from Fiona Wright.
 
Katarzyna Zawadzki would force Molly Saylor to make her first stop of the match with a shot in the 39^thminute. A late chance for NJIT off the foot of Angela Harris missed high and would lead into the conclusion of the first half.
 
The Gaels came out strong to begin the second half, cutting their deficit in half with a goal just three minutes into the period. Mackenzie Meixner launched a free kick towards the box, where Ferrer battled to get a head on the ball and found the back of the net.
 
The excitement would be short-lived for Iona though; NJIT would find an answer five minutes later and extend its lead back to two. The Gaels never gave up, managing four shots, three on net, over the next 15 minutes. The Highlanders would put the match away with a 71^stminute score, en route to their third win of the season.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• NJIT out-shot Iona 12-8 on the day. The Highlanders totaled six shots in each half and scored twice in each half as well.
• Iona won the possession battle with a 53-47 percent edge in the match.
• Ferrer's goal was her first of the season. Meixner had the assist, her second helper on the year.
• Junior Katie Benson had a team-high two shots, one of which was on goal.
• Zawadzki played 64 minutes off of the bench, getting the start in the second half.
• Junior Angelina DeCicco played the second half in net for the Maroon & Gold, making one save and allowing two goals.

UP NEXT

Iona will hit the road to face Army on Wednesday night as non-conference play continues. Kick-off is on tap for 7 PM.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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