NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College men's soccer team got its 2010 season off to a great start with a 5-1 win over Hartwick in the opener at Mazzella Field.  Rookie Samuel Adjei was the top scorer for the Gaels, racking up two goals in his collegiate debut.

Iona capitalized on its scoring opportunities very well in the first half, making the most of its offensive possessions.  Freshman MF Franklin Castellanos put the Gaels on the board in the 27th minute on his first career goal.  Senior MF Mario Rios brought the ball up the field, readied for a pass, and knocked it over to Castellanos who was set up on the left side.  Five minutes later, Adjei registered his first tally of the contest with help from Rios and freshman F Victor Munoz.

The Maroon & Gold added a third goal late in the opening period.  A Mario Di Miceli penalty kick attempt in the 43rd minute was saved by Hawks goalkeeper Jake Wright, but Di Miceli gathered control of the rebound and sent it into the back of the net for a 3-0 Gael halftime lead.

Iona quickly displayed the same strength early in the second half, as Munoz earned his second assist of the day on a goal by sophomore MF Douglas Stephens.  Hartwick broke up the shutout in the 60th minute with an unassisted score off the foot of Dan Summers.  Adjei rounded out the scoring in the 5-1 victory with the final goal of the afternoon on an assist from Castellanos in the 67th minute.

Sophomore GK Jesse Fullerton made four saves in his first career win before Michael Jordan took over goaltending duties for the final 13:08.  Wright ended with two saves for the Hawks.  Iona held a 15-11 shot advantage with a 7-5 edge in shots on goal.

The Gaels close out a two-game home stand with a 2:00 pm match-up against Hofstra on Sep. 4.