Bryant opens season with 2-1 win over Iona

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Clutch goals from Remi Manna and Kylie Ratelle and nine saves from Meghan Dalton led the Bryant University women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Iona in the 2019 season opener.

Game Information

Bryant 2, Iona 1

Records: Bryant (1-0), Iona (0-1)

Location: Mazzella Field (New Rochelle, N.Y.)

Coach Biggs' Comments

"We scored a very good goal at the start of each half, and our quick starts paid off today. Our second half was better than our first as we played with more confidence, connected more passes, and created better opportunities. Full credit to the team for seeing out the last 10 minutes of a hard fought game with a lot of confidence and maturity." 

Key Moment

Junior Kristen Bortolotti (Foxborough, Mass.) found fellow junior Amanda Spitaleri (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) with her back to the goal at the top of the 18. Spitaleri spun off the defender and laid it off for her first career assist to another junior Kylie Ratelle (Chicopee, Mass.) who sent a rocket to the upper 90 far post.

Scoring Summary

• 6th minute – Bryant 1, Iona 0 – Junior Jamie Irwin (Succasunna, N.J.) had a direct free kick from the 50 to senior Remi Manna (Pleasantville, N.Y.) who was able to head it on past the goalkeeper. 

• 24th minute – Bryant 1, Iona 1 – Mackenzie Meixner made a long pass down the left side to open the opportunity to Faith Preziosi to drive it in the far right corner and score for the Gaels.

• 49th minute – Bryant 2, Iona 1 – Spitaleri tripped up the Iona defender and passed off the ball to Ratelle who shot a rocket to the upper right post. 

Stats/Notes

• The Bulldogs now lead the series against Iona 3-0. 

• Bortolotti and freshman Katrina Stangl (Park Ridge, N.J.) made their first career starts. 

• Freshman Madeline Labance (Warwick, N.Y.) made her first career appearance for Bryant. 

• Junior Meghan Dalton (West Hartford, Conn.) made nine saves, six which occurred in the first 45 minutes. 

• Dalton's nine saves is the second highest in a contest in her career. 

• Spitaleri recorded her first career assist on the goal. 

• Ratelle scored her first goal since the 2017 season. 

Up Next

Bryant travels to Hamden, Conn. to face Quinnipiac for a 4 p.m. kickoff on August 25. 

To keep up with the team follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.