FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The Sacred Heart University women's soccer team begins the stretch run of the season this week, partaking in two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) matches to begin the month of October. The Pios head to Iona on Wednesday, October 2 for a noon kickoff at Mazzella Field before finishing the week with a trek to New Jersey to take on Rider at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 5. More information can be found at sacredheartpioneers.com. 
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Pioneers had a hard task at hand during matchweek six, hosting the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers after getting some much-needed rest with just the one game on the docket. Against MSM, the Pioneers started the stronger of the two sides as Shea Kelleher won a penalty kick decision inside the opening two minutes of action which the sophomore forward converted with a clinical strike, low to the goalkeeper's left to put SHU up 1-0. 
 
However, the Mountaineers evened things up inside the first 20 minutes of the match as Sydoney Clarke earned a penalty, which was converted to level the scoreline 1-1. Both teams continued to pester one another with chances as the hosts claimed a majority of the possession through the first half en route to a 1-1 scoreline at the break. Despite the chances for the hosts, it was MSM that had the last laugh of the afternoon thanks to two second-half tally's that pushed the scoreline to a 3-1 decision in favor of the visitors as the Pios fell at home. 
 
ON IONA
Iona heads into Wednesday's match having dispatched former Northeast Conference (NEC) opposition, Merrimack, at home last Saturday via a 3-1 scoreline. The Gaels grabbed a two-goal lead just over 30 minutes into the contest as Marissa Graziano's 14^th minute and Kedarjah Lewis' 32^nd minute tallies saw the hosts lead 2-0 into the break. Merrimack struck back in the 65^th minute with a penalty kick conversion, however, Iona's Krystal Haertter put the hosts back up by two in the 81^st minute as Iona rode out a 3-1 win. 
 
The Gaels are led by sophomore forward Marissa Graziano who leads the team in all three scoring categories with four goals and three assists which sets her apart with 11 points this season. Graziano has also grabbed points in three-consecutive games including a brace against Delaware State in mid-September. Kate McNally sits tied for the team lead with Graziano in assists (3) after grabbing one in the match against Merrimack. 
 
Between the sticks, Kayla Kalbaugh and Savannah Rogers have split time as part of four goalkeepers who have appeared in a match this season. Kalbaugh, who has started four matches this season, has a 1.57 goals against average and .781 save percentage this season while Rogers has made five starts with a 2.87 goals against average and .629 save percentage this season. 
 
Marty Walker leads the Gaels in his first season at the helm after spending the last few years as an assistant coach with multiple programs, including time at LIU. This week's meeting marks the first time the two squads will meet since 2015 and the first meeting as conference opponents. The all-time series is currently tied 1-1 with the home team having won both meetings in the past while SHU took the last meeting in 2015 by a 3-2 scoreline. 
 
ON RIDER
Rider heads into the weekend match facing two Connecticut teams at home, taking on the Pios on Saturday after hosting Quinnipiac on Wednesday, October 2 at 7 p.m. Rider dropped its last match on the road to Canisius, 2-0, as the Golden Griffins scored twice within 36 seconds in the second half to take the 2-0 conference win. 
 
Tess Ferrie leads the Broncs with seven points on the season via a three goal and one assist stat line which the forward accrued during the Broncs' match against Delaware State. Ava DeGeorge leads Rider in assists with two on the season which are her lone points on the year. In goal, graduate student Ellie Sciancalepore is the lone keeper to serve time between the sticks, boasting a 1.63 goals against average  and .755 save percentage through eight matches this season. 
 
Drayson Hounsome is in his 17^th season at the helm with the Broncs and has grabbed a 123-125-43 line while sending the Broncs to their lone NCAA Tournament appearance. Rider made it all the way to the MAAC Tournament Semifinals last season before dropping a close contest to eventual champions Quinnipiac. SHU won the last match between the two squads via a 4-2 decision in 2010 as both teams have grabbed victories as the home side in the two all-time meetings.