BALTIMORE, MD - The Iona College men's soccer team came up short against UMBC on Sunday evening, falling 2-1 at Retriever Soccer Park. Freshman
Andre Shelton scored the first goal of his career late in the first half to tie things, but a 62nd minute goal by Ryan Becher proved to be the game winner.
The Retrievers started things early, scoring just over three minutes into the match. Julian Conze played a long pass off of a set piece perfectly, sending a grounded shot past keeper Zach Nelson and giving the host an early lead.
Late in the first half, Iona found its equalizer. Esad Mackic tried a shot that was initially stopped by Quantrell Jones off of his line, but it came out towards Shelton, who guided it into the back of the net to even the score. The score would hold until the 62nd minute when Conze, who scored the first goal of the match, fed a ball right in front of the net that Becher finished.
Iona had a few opportunities late in the second half, particularly in the final eight minutes, which UMBC was forced to play a man down for after Tyler Harry was issued a second yellow card. The Gaels came close, but ultimately could not find the equalizer, falling to 0-3-0 this season.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Shelton's 38th minute tally was the first of his collegiate career. The assist was credited to Mackic, who had his shot stopped by the keeper.
- Nelson faced three shots in net, saving one.
- Camil Azzam Ruiz finished with a match-high four shots. Two of his shots were stopped by Jones.
- Lenworth Lopez, Mackic and Shelton were responsible for Iona's other four shots on net.
- The Retrievers owned a narrow edge in shots (9-8), though the Gaels finished with a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal. Each team had four corners and were whistled for offsides twice.
- Azzam Ruiz and Tim Timchenko were named to the All-Tournament Team.
UP NEXT
Iona is back in action on Saturday, September 11 when Holy Cross visits Mazzella Field. The match is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. in New Rochelle.
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