Iona Draws Against Wagner, 2-2

September 18, 2017

NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College women's soccer team concluded its non-conference schedule with a come-from-behind 2-2 draw against the Wagner Seahawks. Graduate Erika Flowers had banner day, garnering three points with a goal and an assist.

Flowers assisted on Iona's first goal netted by fellow graduate Jacque Rice. The longest tenured Gael knotted things up for the Maroon & Gold in the 88th minute.

Wagner got on the board first in the 22nd minute with a goal from junior Kristen Bischoff. Sophomore Kaitlyn Ross intercepted an errant Iona pass in the midfield and fed a short through ball towards Bischoff who was charging in towards net.

Despite outshooting the Seahawks 11-5 in the first half, Wagner led the Gaels 1-0 after forty-five minutes.

In the 77th minute, Rice tied things up with her first score of the season. A wave of Maroon & Gold offense was gathering, and it finally crashed down with Flowers drawing two defenders, threading a grounded to Rice, who then snuck it under the diving Wagner keeper.

The Seahawks regained the lead in the 83rd minute. Freshman Le'la Allen, who had just entered the game with fresh legs, fought for a loose ball and was able to push a long pass forward to junior Sandra Battista. The junior forward was one-one-one with sophomore Madeleine Lessard and had a nice one-touch to switch directions; with a better angle to score, Battista buried her first of the season.

With just one-minute and thirty-five seconds remaining in regulation, Rice earned foul just outside the penalty box. From 17 yards out, Flowers stepped up to take the game-tying free kick. Powering it over the wall into the upper left of the net, Flowers knotted the game at two with her second score of the year.

In the first overtime period, both keepers had to make one save. In the second half, senior Marissa Dundas came within just inches of scoring the game-winner. Sophomore Delaney Beck made her eighth and final save by punching a rising shot over the crossbar.

Junior Mariana Jaramillo had a team-high five shots. Sophomore Mariah Elsenheimer and Rice each had four attempts, and Flowers ended with three shots. Overall, the Gaels took a season-high 26 shots, 11 shots on goal, and 10 corner kick chances.

Iona begins Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Play on Saturday, Sept. 16 at home against Canisius. Kick-off scheduled for 11:00 AM.

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