DOVER, DE – The Iona College women's soccer team wrapped up its non-conference schedule with a road win over Delaware State on Wednesday afternoon. Sofia Giamanco and Faith Preziosi accounted for the Gaels' two goals in the 2-0 victory.

MATCH SUMMARY

The Gaels dominated this match from the start. Giamanco and Samantha Hogan combined to score Iona's first goal in the tenth minute. Hogan fed a pass towards the front of the net from the far, right corner that Giamanco headed in to give the Maroon & Gold an early 1-0 lead.
 
Not even five minutes later, Preziosi launched a shot from 20 yards out past the keeper on the left side to extend Iona's lead to 2-0. Mackenzie Meixnerwas credited with the assist on Preziosi's sixth goal of the season.
 
Senior Amber Crispin tried her luck almost immediately after Preziosi's score, but Fabrea McCray made her first save of the afternoon on the shot on goal. It wasn't until the 23^rdminute that Delaware State would register its first shot, which goalkeeper Emma Havrilla knocked away to force a corner kick. The Hornets committed a foul on the corner, ceding possession to the Gaels.
 
Iona's Lisette Palomo tried a corner with just over 10 minutes left in the half, but the team could not get a shot off. Nothing of interest happened in the final minutes of the half, but the Gaels headed for the locker room with a comfortable two-goal lead.
 
Junior Angelina DeCicco relieved Emma Havrilla of her goalkeeping duties to begin the second half. The focus stayed with Iona's offense though, as Preziosi and Ciara Guglielmo put shots towards the net in the opening two minutes of the half, but McCray directed them away from danger.
 
DSU turned it around a minute later and Mary O'Connor tried a shot, but sailed it too high. Seven minutes later, the Hornets would be whistled for offsides as they tried to push the ball up the field. DeCicco made her first save of the afternoon in the 65^thminute on a shot from Savannah Ay.
 
Giamanco and Preziosi continued Iona's onslaught of shots, but neither could place a shot on net as the match progressed into its final 20 minutes. Iona's backline continued to hold strong and the Gaels put the finishing touches on their first clean sheet of the season.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• Preziosi's tally was her sixth of the season, which gave her sole possession of first place in the conference in goals (6) and points (14). The sophomore has also surpassed her career-best mark of five goals scored.
• Giamanco was credited with the game-winner, the first of her collegiate career. The freshman from Red Bank Catholic High School now has two goals and five points this year.
• Hogan and Meixner assisted on the Gaels two goals, giving Iona 12 as a team this season.
• Havrilla played the entire first half, making just one save en route to her first win of the season.
• DeCicco relieved Havrilla in net for the second half of action, stopping one shot in her 45 minutes of action.
• As a team, the Gaels did not allow an opponent to score for the first time this season.
• Iona tallied nine shots on the afternoon, five of which found their way on net. DSU was credited with just three shots, two were on goal.
• The Gaels matched a season-high with five corner kick tries.
• With their third win of the season, the Maroon & Gold have already matched their 2018 win total.

UP NEXT

Iona shifts its focus entirely towards Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play, as they host Siena on Saturday at 1 PM. The match is the Gaels league home opener.

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