NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona University men's soccer team picked up a 4-1 win over Canisius in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at Mazzella Field. The Gaels (4-2, 2-0 MAAC) scored in the fourth minute and never trailed and earned a third straight victory. Graduate Camil Azzam Ruiz returned to action for the Maroon & Gold and scored twice to lead the Maroon & Gold.

THE RUNDOWN

In the opening minutes of the contest, graduate Lans Bovenberg began the Gaels' first scoring play in his own defensive half, floating a pass to the left corner that was chased down by senior Aly Camara. Camara settled and found graduate Matias Morales at the top of the box. On his second touch, Morales found streaking rookie Francesco Borla at the right corner of the goal for a tap in on an open net. It was Borla's first collegiate goal and the team-leading fourth assist for Morales.
 
In the 21st minute, Iona capitalized on a long possession for its second goal. Bovenberg started the scoring play again, serving a pass from just over the midfield line into the box. With his back to the goal Borla redirected it to his teammate Camara who blasted a shot from 18-yards out into the center of the net. Camara gave the Gaels a 2-0 lead on his second goal of the 2023 campaign.
 
Canisius halved its deficit in the 34th minute. Glodie Mata notched his second goal of the year after taking a pass from the right side from Ely Sidibe and one-timing a shot from the top of the six-yard stripe.
 
Azzam Ruiz came off the bench in the 32nd minute and made an almost immediate impact. Graduate Alessio Hernandez took the ball away from the Canisius keeper inside the penalty area and gathered himself on the right side end line. He found a streaking Azzam Ruiz for a tap in one timer from inside six, his fifth of the season.
 
Azzam Ruiz scored again in the second half in the 65th minute, on a ridiculous, #SCTop10-like tally. Iona again took advantage of a Griffs' turnover in their own defensive zone. Freshman Jad Benjelloun took the ball away from a Canisius defender and tried to poke it through on net. Azzam Ruiz took the carom just outside the 18-yard box with his back to the goal. He flicked the ball to himself and bicycled it to the left of the Canisius' keeper. It was his sixth goal in five appearances this season, a total that leads the MAAC. His 1.2 goals per game average is more than a half-goal more than the No. 2 performer.

STATISTICS

Iona held a 25-3 shot advantage including 15-1 on goal. Camara and Azzam Ruiz each had five shots. The Gaels also held a 7-0 advantage on corner kicks.

UP NEXT

The Maroon & Gold returns to action at Mazzella field next Saturday when they host Quinnipiac at 1 p.m. in a rematch of the 2022 MAAC Championship final.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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