Not only did the Iona College women’s soccer team earn their first victory of the season on Sept. 6, first year head coach Linda Hathorn secured her first win as the Gaels’ new leader. The Maroon & Gold defeated the University at Albany Great Danes 2-1 at Mazzella Field.

Iona was on the attack early but was unable to find the back of the net. In the 34th minute, the Great Danes took a 1-0 with a goal from senior Aubrey VanGorder. The Gaels quickly responded in the 35th minute on a corner kick sent in by senior Sofia Sanchez. Sanchez delivered a high cross in the box, the Great Danes attempted to clear the ball, but sophomore Kim Marra gained possession and rocketed a left footed shot into the upper left corner for her first goal of the season.

The Gaels and the Great Danes entered halftime tied 1-1.

In the second half both teams continued to battle to break the deadlock. In the 66th minute, senior Nicole Paulucci received a pass near the sideline, got by her defender and curled a cross into the middle that connected with junior Safi Ayinde’s head into the bottom left corner to give the Gaels a 2-1 lead. The Maroon & Gold were able to preserve the lead and defeat the Great Danes.

Senior defender Leanne Benson was proud of her team’s performance and poise after capturing their first victory.

“Our first win gave us confidence and we knew we would get a win at home and we deserved it,” Benson said. “Albany was a good team but we were able to control the tempo and impose our style of play which gave us success.”

The Iona College women’s soccer team started a three-game road trip Sept. 8 where they took on the Fordham Rams. Fordham applied pressure on the Gaels throughout the entire game. In the 26th minute, junior Jessica Widmann gave the Rams a 1-0 lead, for her first goal of the season.

The Rams missed out on other opportunities later in the game, however their first-half goal was enough to defeat the Gaels and earn their fist win of the season. Fordham outshot the Rams 15-6. Iona senior goalie Trista Rivera had four saves in the loss.

Iona headed south Sept. 13 to take on Mount St. Mary’s (Emmitsburg, Md.). The Mount took a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute when senior forward Jackie Corley scored her second goal of the season. The lead did not last long for the Mount, and the Gaels quickly fired back two minutes later.

Paulucci tied the game (1-1) in the 36th minute, after Ayinde crossed the ball to Paulucci who settled the ball, and took a shot past sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Bourne into the lower right corner.

The Gaels and the Mount finished 90 minutes of play tied 1-1. Double-overtime was still not enough for either team to find the back of the net and the game ended in a draw. Mount St. Mary’s outshot the Gaels 14-12, Rivera tallied six saves in the tie.

Iona remained in Maryland to take on the Navy Midshipmen on Sept. 15. Navy senior forward Ashlynn Soellner compiled five total points (two goals and one assist) which played a key role in the Midshipmen’s 3-0 victory over the Gaels.

The Gaels will be back in action Sept. 21 as they kick-off conference play at home against Canisius.