NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College men's soccer team opened the 2009 season with a 1-0 victory over New Hampshire at Mazzella Field.  The Gaels (1-0) took a one-goal lead on a tally by Alexander Paszek in the first half and kept the Wildcats (0-1) off the scoreboard to secure the shutout.

Mario Rios, battling the New Hampshire defense, dribbled the ball in from the left end and got it over to Aleksander Haxhari.  Haxhari immediately crossed it to the right side of the goal, where it was headed in by Paszek.  The 18th minute goal would be all Iona needed for its first win of the year.

Goalkeeper Nils Binstock made four saves for the Maroon & Gold and earned his 16th career shutout.  Colin O'Connell and Chris Devine split the time in front of the net for New Hampshire and each made one save.

With the home opener on the books, the Gaels head to Orlando, FL to take part in the UCF Classic.  The squad will play its first of two games in the tournament against Georgia Southern on Sep. 4.