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Iona University Athletics

Esad Mackic
1
Iona College ION (11-5-1, 6-3-1)
2
Winner Monmouth MON (3-12-2, 3-6-1)
Iona College ION
(11-5-1, 6-3-1)
1
Final
2
Monmouth MON
(3-12-2, 3-6-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Iona College ION 1 0 0 1
Monmouth MON 0 1 1 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Jack Clark

PK Goal Sinks Iona Men's Soccer in OT at Monmouth

Ben Zakowski scored a penalty kick goal to saddle the Maroon & Gold with a 2-1 overtime loss in the season-finale.

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – In need of a victory to secure a bye in the opening round of the 2019 MAAC Tournament, the Iona College men's soccer team lost in overtime at Monmouth. Ben Zakowski scored a penalty kick goal to saddle the Maroon & Gold with a 2-1 overtime loss in the regular season finale.

MATCH SUMMARY

The Gaels played a sound defensive first half despite starting without some of their mainstays on the backline. Giuliano Santucci began the match with two saves on both of Monmouth's tries in the opening 20 minutes. 
 
Sean Murray made stops on the other end against Mackic and Lenworth Lopez on back-to-back tries in the 23rdminute. His stop on Mackic's try came far enough out that the Gaels reset in the offensive zone and set up Lopez for a header inside the box. Murray was forced into a dive to his right and got a piece of the attempt from Lopez, Iona's best chance since Plimpton hit the post earlier in the match.
 
The save from Murray resulted in a corner for the Maroon & Gold and a good pass from Geddes set up Mackic for the game's first goal. On a short pass from the far corner, Geddes received it and sent a pass in towards the middle of the box that skipped once and Mackic sent on a line into the right side of the net, never giving Murray a chance at stopping it.
 
Mackic tried for another one just over a minute after he found nylon, but it sailed high right. Alex Hajj's try for the Hawks on the counter attack also missed over the crossbar. Santucci made one final stop in the closing minutes of the half to maintain the advantage for his squad heading into the break.
 
Murray kept Iona's offense in check and kept his team within striking distance by making three saves in the first 11 minutes of the second half. After a Francesc Chulia shot went high and out of bounds, Monmouth settled and transitioned to offense. A long pass up ahead gave Zakowski space and in between a couple of Iona defenders he turned and pinpointed a left-footed strike into the upper corner of the net to level the match.
 
Iona had a string of chances in successive minutes late in the half; Mackic, Jon Paul Fernandez, Najim Romero and Chulia all attempted shots but could not find a goal. Josh Plimpton and Fernandez's chances minutes later also missed and the two sides would head for extra time at Hesse Field.
 
Iona controlled the possession for most of the extra seven-plus minutes of overtime, but it was Zakowski's second goal of the evening that gave Monmouth the victory. After four Iona shots that came up empty, it was a quick transition by the Hawks into the attacking zone that resulted in a takedown in the box. Zakowski blasted the penalty kick by Santucci on the left side for the win.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

  • In need of a win to take control of the two seed and a bye in the opening round of the 2019 MAAC Championship, Iona will now be the three seed and host Rider this Sunday.
  • Mackic's goal was his fourth of the season and his first since netting one at Fairleigh Dickinson on October 2. The sophomore is now third on the squad with 15 points this season.
  • Plimpton and Geddes were credited with the helpers on the lone goal for the Maroon & Gold. 
  • Zakowski played all 98 minutes for the Hawks and was responsible for both goals, the sixth and seventh of his rookie campaign.
  • Iona outshot Monmouth 27-12 and held an 11-7 edge in shots on net.
  • The loss for Santucci is his third of the season and first since the Gaels lost to then #19 St. John's at Belson Stadium on September 10.
  • Iona lost two of its final three conference games after beginning league play 5-1-1.

UP NEXT

Iona will host No. 6 Rider this Sunday at Mazzella Field in a rematch of last year's MAAC Championship First Round. The starting time is still to be determined; fans should check periodically for announcements about streaming and ticket information.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Be sure to follow Iona College athletics and men's soccer on all social media platforms:  
ICGaels: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (Email Updates)  
Iona Men's Soccer: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (Email Updates)



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