NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Not for a lack of effort, the Iona College men's soccer team lost it's third straight game by a difference of one goal in this afternoon's 1-0 defeat to Stony Brook at Mazzella Field.  In their final non-conference match of the season, the Gaels (2-5-1) were held scoreless despite a 17-10 lead in shots which included an 11-1 supremacy in the second half.

The Seawolves (6-4-1) extended their unbeaten streak to six games by virtue of Berian Gobeil's 43rd minute goal, the lone blemish on Iona's otherwise strong showing.  Gobeil headed a shot past Gael goalkeeper Michael Jordan to pick up his fifth tally of the year off a cross by Mehdi Belakehal from the left side.  Jordan had three saves in his first career start.

Trailing 1-0, the Maroon & Gold did not back down as the squad had several close calls late in the contest.  A series of wide attempts by Roberto Hernandez-Raaen, Franklin Castellanos, and Adam Rohan midway through the second period was followed by back-to-back blocked shots by Marcellin Bilali and Hernandez-Raaen in the 76th minute. 

Two minutes later, Stony Brook was called on a hand ball in the box, granting Iona a penalty kick.  The shot by Hernandez-Raaen, who is now 1-2 in penalty kick attempts this year, hit off the crossbar and bounded back into play.  With 15:30 left in the game, a potential goal by Bilali was disallowed due to a whistle just prior to the shot.

The Gaels will travel to Western NY to open the MAAC season against Niagara on Oct. 8.