BUFFALO, NY - Senior Alvaro Torrecilla's goal in the 88th minute propelled the Iona College men's soccer team to a 3-2 victory over Canisius Friday evening at Demske Sports Complex.  Now 5-1 in league play, the Gaels are just one point shy of clinching a spot in the 2012 MAAC Championship.

The Gaels struck first in the contest with a goal in the eighth minute. Junior Franklin Castellanos stole the ball from a Canisius defender and finished from 12 yards out for the early 1-0 advantage.

Canisius kotted the game at one in the 32nd minute when Adam DeCarolis scored his third goal of the season, but Iona quickly responded.  In the 37th minute, senior Ansger Otto buried his team leading seventh goal of the season to move the Gaels in front 2-1.  Otto grabbed a loose ball and after alluding the Canisius defense scored from 15 yards out to give Iona a one goal lead heading to the locker room.

After the teams traded opportunities, Canisius would tie the game in the 72nd minute.  Off a free kick from Gavin DeFalconer that forced Iona goalkeeper Borja Barbero to make a diving stop, Asani Samuels put in the rebound for his fifth goal of the season to even the score at two.

Torrecilla would then net the game winner in the game's closing minutes.  After taking a feed from Castellanos that beat the Canisius defense, Torrecilla put the Gaels ahead for good with his fifth goal of the season.

Canisius outshot the Gaels 21-12 in the contest, including 8-5 on shots on goal.  Barbero made six saves for Iona while Eric DeHond made one save for Canisius.  The weekend concludes for the Maroon & Gold Sunday at 1:00 pm at Niagara.