NEWARK, NJ - The Iona College men's soccer secured its first victory of the season behind two-goal performances by
Camil Azzam Ruiz and Edu Calvo-Salinas on Tuesday evening.
Lenworth Lopez added a late goal to help the Gaels to a 5-2 victory over NJIT at Lubetkin Field.
Just a little over three minutes into the match, Azzam Ruiz started the scoring for the Maroon & Gold. Calvo-Salinas opened the floodgates early, scoring a pair of goals to give Iona a 3-0 lead that it would carry into halftime.
The Highlanders broke through in the 54th minute, getting on the board after a goal by Jose Escandon. The Gaels answered almost immediately, grabbing a 4-2 lead after Azzam Ruiz netted his second goal of the night. Then, two minutes later, a handball in the box granted NJIT a penalty kick that Rene White converted.
Things settled down slightly after that, but Lopez provided the icing on the cake with a 75th minute goal off of a corner that guided the Gaels to the 5-2 road victory.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Calvo-Salinas had a career night, netting two goals and adding two assists. His six points are the most in a single match by a Gael in over six years.
- Azzam Ruiz also added two goals and an assist and now leads the squad with three goals and seven points.
- Lopez's goal marks the second straight match in which the Rosedale, New York native has scored. His 19th career goal moves him into a tie with Samuel Adjei for sixth-most in program history.
- The Gaels five goals and 15 points are the team's most in a single match since registering five goals and 16 points in a 5-0 win over Siena on October 20, 2018.
- The Highlanders conceded five goals for the first time since 2017.
- Zachary Nelson earned the victory between the pipes, his first as a member of the Maroon & Gold.
- The meeting between Iona and NJIT tonight was the first in the regular season since 2009. The Gaels have won six of the seven meetings between the two programs dating back to the 2004 season.
AROUND THE MAAC
- Manhattan defeated cross-town rival Fordham 1-0 in Riverdale.
- A second-half PK propelled undefeated New Hampshire past Marist, 2-1.
- Rider coasted to a 3-1 victory over Stony Brook.
UP NEXT
Iona welcomes Sacred Heart to Mazzella Field on Wednesday, September 22 for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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