New Rochelle, NY - The Iona College men's soccer team earned an impressive 3-0 shutout over first place Loyola on Senior Day this afternoon at Mazzella Field. Senior Nick Smaldone put the Gaels on the scoreboard in the first half and teammates Giovanni Destasio and Fabian Contreras netted important insurance tallies late to push the squad to victory.

Four graduating seniors were honored prior to kickoff. Smaldone, Edwin Montes, Felipe Faundez, and Maciek Sliwinski were commended for their contributions to the team.

The Gaels controlled the action early in the first half, recording an impressive 11-3 shot advantage over the Greyhounds. Tonna Egbuchanum attempted a header in front of the net in the tenth minute which went wide, then got off another shot two minutes later which was saved by Loyola keeper Justin Chelland. Egbuchanum would later be fouled by the opponent, setting up a familiar Sliwinski penalty shot. Unlike his game-winner two days ago, Sliwinski's kick was saved on the ground by Chelland.

Iona's first goal of the contest came in the 30th minute. Taurean Manders passed to Smaldone down the right side, putting Smaldone in position to blast the ball past Chelland. At halftime, the Maroon & Gold held a 1-0 lead.

The Gaels added two more to the scoreboard in the second half. Fernando Liserra belted a shot to be saved by Chelland. Destasio then headed the rebound straight into the net, scoring his fifth goal of the season.

With just under three minutes remaining, Chris Butler served a breakaway pass to Contreras who knocked it in for his first goal of the season.

Iona returns to action as they visit Niagara on Friday, Oct. 27.