NEW ROCHELLE, New York – With her Senior Day fast approaching, midfielder
Abby Murphy netted her first goal of the season to power Marist to a 1-0 victory over Iona on Wednesday afternoon at Mazzella Field.
The Red Foxes improve to 3-1-1 in MAAC play, and 4-3-2 overall. The Gaels' record now stands at 1-4 in conference and 5-7 on the year.
Following a quiet first half that featured only two combined shots on goal, Murphy broke the ice in the 63rd minute. Sophomore forward
Bridget Dudziec occupied the right corner and fended off a defender in the box, leading to a cross that Murphy headed off Iona keeper Emma Havrilla's hand and into the back of the net.
Senior goalkeeper
Natalie Kelchner made two saves on the day, both coming after the Murphy tally to preserve the shutout. Eight different Red Foxes recorded shots in the game.
Kiera Hagerty was responsible for seven of Iona's eight shots in the contest. Havrilla posted two saves in the setback for the Gaels.
- Marist generated the first scoring chance 2:58 in, as Dudziec's attempt to the lower-left corner was denied by Havrilla.
- In the 21st minute, Iona took its first shot of the contest, but Haggerty's attempt floated high.
- Freshman midfielder Autumn Smith had an opportunity in the 35th minute, but Havrilla denied her to keep the contest scoreless.
- The Red Foxes threatened with multiple corner kicks in the final two minutes of the frame, but could not get a shot on net.
- Sophomore forward Grace DiVincenzo recorded Marist's first shot of the half at the top of the box in the 49th minute, but it sailed wide left.
- In the 53rd minute, junior forward Brooke Cergol had a touch in the box, turning to fire a 15-yard shot that went wide right.
- Iona almost had an opportunity when Kelchner couldn't handle a cross with a Gael nearby, but the keeper prevented a shot.
- Following Marist's tally, Haggerty attempted an equalizer in the 65th minute that traveled over the crossbar.
- In the 75th minute, the Gaels earned a free kick just outside the box, leading to a Haggerty shot that was wide left. Moments later, Haggerty missed from a similar location.
- Kelchner's first save of the afternoon arrived in the 81st minute. Faith Preziosi set up Haggerty 18 yards out, as the latter turned aside a defender and fired low-middle. Kelchner dove to her left for the stop.
- The senior netminder made another stop on Haggerty five minutes later as the shot rolled slowly from the right side.
- Dudziec was credited with the lone assist on Murphy's goal.
- Both sides registered eight shots, though the Red Foxes had the 3-2 edge in shots on goal.
- Marist also won the corner kick category 5-3. All five came in the first half.
- Iona was flagged offside seven times.
- Six of the Gaels' eight shots came after halftime.
- Possession favored Marist at a narrow 51-49 split. The Red Foxes spent 31 percent of their time with the ball 20 yards or closer to Iona's net.
- Wednesday was Marist's second shutout in three games.
- Marist has not allowed more than one goal in all nine games this year.
- The Red Fox defense's scoreless streak in regulation now stands at 202:13, spanning back to the match against Saint Peter's on September 26th.
- Murphy scored her first goal since October 26th, 2019, when she secured the brace against Manhattan.
- Dudziec now has a team-best four assists on the year, and is tied for second on the team with the four points.
- Marist has allowed just three goals in five conference matches in 2021.
- Wednesday marks the first road win under Head Coach Brittany Kolmel's tenure.
- The Red Foxes boost their unbeaten streak over the Gaels to seven games.
- Marist hosts Siena for Senior Day on Saturday, October 9th at 7 p.m.
- Families of the senior class are encouraged to arrive before 6:15 p.m., with the ceremony expected to start shortly thereafter.
