NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College men's soccer team put forth a resounding effort to take down Quinnipiac 3-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Mazzella Field. Junior
Camil Azzam Ruiz scored twice, while rookie
Thiago Cagna tallied the first goal of his career in the victory.
Juan Alfaro Monge made a second consecutive start for Iona in net, his third of his freshman season, playing well throughout, especially early on. The Heredia, Costa Rica native made an early stop on a shot that did not count, setting the tone early defensively.
The first shot that did register came from Henry Weigand, which Alfaro Monge stopped by going down to a slide. Iona's first shot on goal did not come until the 25th minute, which Quinnipiac's Hadjigavriel made a save on. Nine minutes later, a yellow card issued to the Bobcats just outside the 18-yard box set up the Gaels with a free kick. Azzam Ruiz took it directly, similarly to his tally in Iona's win at Marist earlier this month, the junior curled it home inside the near post, giving his team a 1-0 advantage.
The half ended without another shot attempt from either side, with Iona taking the 1-0 lead into the break. The Maroon & Gold added to the lead just over a minute into half number two when Esad Mackic and Edu Calvo-Salinas connected passes for Cagna, who put a left-footed shot into the back of the net for the first score of his collegiate career.
Not even 15 minutes later the Gaels made it a 3-0 contest when Azzam Ruiz scored his second goal of the day, heading home a cross from Inigo Zaballa Gonzalez after the initial touch outside came from Mackic.
Now trailing by three, Quinnipiac could not locate a shot on net; Aasen and Svecula both missed shots wide of the cage. The Bobcats broke through in the 75th minute when Alexander Kyrkjeeide roofed a cross into the box. One last chance for Aasen nearly made it a 3-2 game, but it missed wide and the Gaels would close out a big win at Mazzella.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Azzam Ruiz's brace was the third of his season and his eight goals this year moved him into sole possession of first in the conference.
- Cagna's goal was the first of his career and he now owns a goal and an assist in his career.
- Mackic had two points, assisting on Iona's second and third goals of the match. He now has three helpers this year, tied for second most on the squad.
- Alfaro Monge's win in net was his second this year, improving his record to 2-1-1. He made one save in each half.
- Iona has now won five of its last six meetings with Quinnipiac. The victory today avenged a 5-3 loss on Mazzella Field last season.
UP NEXT
Iona heads to Fairfield on Saturday for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at Lessing Field, which will be streamed live on ESPN+.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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