Rider Bests Iona Women's Soccer At Mazzella

October 11, 2018

GAME SUMMARY

The Maroon & Gold found themselves in a quick hole with Valeria Pascuet and Kourtney Cunningham scoring within 18 seconds of each other 10 minutes into the game. Pascuet scored directly off a corner with Iona's rookie keeper Emma Havrilla got tangled in the box. Cunningham was then the beneficiary of an errant Gael pass off the restart. The Bronc attacker got sent a pass from Sam Picinich and punched it home for a 2-0 lead.

The Maroon & Gold did not fold. 47 seconds after letting up a second goal, Iona got back to within one with Preziosi scoring her first of the game. Junior Ciara Guglielmo, who ended up assisting on both goals for the Gaels, fed a pass down the left side that was controlled by the rookie and eventually grounded home.

Rider led the Gaels at halftime 2-1 and maintained a 11-6 first half shot advantage. Havrilla was a big reason the margin was just one. She made three saves in the first half, none biggest then on Cunningham's one-on-one breakaway in the 38'.

Preziosi, the reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week, tied the game in the 52'. Guiglielmo stole a lazy Rider pass and fed the freshman who rocketed a shot into the upper ninety of the right corner from 25 yards out.

The Broncs regained the lead for good in the 60' when Pascuet delivering a free kick strike from just outside the box.

The Gaels fought till the end. Havrilla made a second breakaway save in the 72' and the sophomore Kelsie Kearns made a team-save on the goal line to keep the Maroon & Gold within one. A final push to tie the game was made by Iona in the final five minutes, but freshman Jackie Morris and Preziosi both fired attempts that were off target.

NOTABLE FACTS

Wednesday was the first time Iona was without redshirt freshman Mackenzie Meixner. She had started Iona's first 12 games of the of the season and averaged 91.58 minutes per game. As result, Morris started on the backline for the first time.
Preziosi is now the team-leader with five goals, 11 points, 20 shots and 12 shots on goal.
Guglielmo is now the team-leader with three assists this season. She also ranks second on Iona with nine shots on goal.
Iona has at least five shots on goal in each of its last four games. It had accomplished five-plus kills in only two of its first nine games.
All five of Iona's shots on goal came from two players. Preziosi contributed three and graduate Christine Rebus had a season-best two.

UP NEXT

The Maroon & Gold return to action against the Siena Saints in Loudonville, NY on Saturday, Oct. 6. Kick-off from Siena Field set for 3:00 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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