Bulldogs begin 40th season Thursday at Iona

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Bryant University women's soccer team begins its 40th season on Thursday afternoon when it kicks off at 3 p.m. at Iona on Mazzella Field in New Rochelle, N.Y.

Opponent: Iona

Location: Mazzella Field – New Rochelle, N.Y.

Kickoff: Thursday, August 22 – 3 p.m.

Watch: Iona Insider 

Live Stats: NCAA Stats

Social Media: Facebook |Twitter |Instagram | #GoBryant | #BryantWSoc 

Series History

• This will be the pair's first meeting since 2016 and just second overall. The Bulldogs lead the series 2-0, after a 2-0 win in 2016 and a 2-1 win in 2014.

Bulldogs Notes and Notables

• The Bulldogs were picked fourth in the Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.

•  The team brings in the second best defense in the Northeast Conference from last season, with a 1.05 goal-against average, including six shutout games.

•   Juniors Meghan Dalton (West Hartford, Conn.) and Jamie Irwin (Succasunna, N.J.) are back to lead the Bulldogs' back line. Dalton collected eight wins between the posts last season, while Irwin earned her second consecutive First Team All-NEC honor. 

•  Offensively, last season's scoring and point leader, junior Amanda Spitaleri (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) leads the Bryant attack that returns six of its top eight in points from last season. The Bulldogs return 73.7 percent of its 2018 scoring. 

• Bryant went 4-4 on the road and posted a 8-7-1 overall record in 2018. Three of the four Black and Gold away wins were clean sheets. 

A bit about the Gaels

• Iona was announced 10th overall in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. 

• The Gaels finished the 2018 season 3-12-2 overall and 1-7-2 in conference play. 

• The team returns 17 total players, four of which led the team in points last season (Amber Crispin, Faith Preziosi, Ciara Guglielmo and Andrea Ferrer). 

• Preziosi and goalkeeper Emma Havrilla were both named to the 2018 MAAC All-Rookie Team. Havrilla returns with 91 total saves last season (third-most in the MAAC), while Preziosi is coming off a five goal and one assist season. 

Be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for game updates during every game this season and an inside look at the program.