Freshman Brianna Smith scored two goals and senior Lesley Ivinac made 10 saves as the Canisius College women's soccer team defeated Iona 2-0 Sunday afternoon in New Rochelle, N.Y. The Golden Griffins improve to 11-6-0 overall and 5-2-0 in the MAAC with the win.
"I'm really proud of the girls for putting together two-consecutive strong road victories," head coach Jim Wendling said. "We knew we had to match Friday's intensity, and we came out put together a solid 90-minute effort."
The Griffs didn't wait very long to show that intensity as Smith opened up the scoring for the Blue and Gold in the 10th minute taking a pass from junior Kelly Reinwald to put Canisius up 1-0. Smith would break through for another tally shortly thereafter scoring her 12th goal of the season in the 24th minute as Reinwald would earn her second assist of the contest. The score would remain that way heading into halftime as both teams recorded six shots through the first half. Iona would attempt to mount a comeback in the next frame but Ivinac was up to the task making eight saves in the stanza and shutting the door on the Gaels as Canisius would triumph 2-0.
The scoring tandem of Smith and Reinwald has been a dynamic duo for the Griffs in 2010 as they combined with each other for nine goals this season.
"Brianna and Kelly have been very special for us this year," Wendling said. "Brianna just has a knack for goal scoring and Kelly is tremendous offensive threat. I'm very proud of how well they have played this season."
Ivinac earned her 10th win of her 2010 campaign, as she matched a career-high 10 saves during the contest. Reinwald continued her impressive weekend recording her fourth and fifth points of the two-game set as she is tied with Smith for the team lead in points with 28.
Women's soccer will be back in action Oct. 29 when they host Manhattan at the Demske Sports Complex. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Game Notes: With the win against Iona, Canisius improves their record to 11-10-1 in the all-time series against the Gaels... The win also gives the Griffs double-digits in the wins column for the third-straight season, the first time that has happened in program history... Canisius' win over Iona also secures a winning MAAC record for this year's squad... This is the seventh time in program history the team has posted a winning league record, and it marks the first time the team has had a winning record against league rivals in three-straight campaigns... Smith's eight-point weekend is the most points that a Canisius player has recorded in a weekend series in 2010.
