New Rochelle, NY - The Iona College men's soccer team defeated Manhattan, 3-1, for its first conference win of the 2007 season.  Three different Gaels found the back of the net as the Maroon and Gold (4-6-0, 1-0-0) have now won three of their last five contests.

A good battle took place in the middle of the field for much of the first half, with neither team able to crack the defense of its opponent.  Both Iona and Manhattan took five shots in the opening period.  Gael senior Michael Ferenci finally broke through in the 43rd minute, getting around Jasper netminder John Ciano to put Iona on the board.  The goal was assisted by Pasquale Abiuso and Aly Lo.

Manhattan evened the count early in the second half as Dan Cipriano scored on Gael goalie Nils Binstock in the 60th minute.  After coming in off a corner kick, Jasper Josh Swett crossed the ball in front of the net where Cipriano headed it in past an airborne Binstock.

Manhattan threatened to pull ahead five minutes later when Binstock left his post to chase after the ball.  With an empty net, Fernando Londono took a shot from short range but Bryan Oelkers filled in to make the save.  Iona regained the lead shortly after in the 67th minute on an Aly Lo goal.  Lo took a pass from Daniel Indellicati five yards in front of the net and batted it past the diving Ciano.  

Giovanni Destasio added an insurance goal for Iona in the 72nd minute.  Destasio set off a kick from the right sideline ten yards out which sailed into the left corner of the net.

Iona edged Manhattan 13-12 in shot attempts, while both teams registered four corner kicks.  Binstock made three saves while playing all 90 minutes in goal.  The squad will take to the road to face Rider on Oct. 12 at 3:00 pm.