NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University men's soccer team picked up two goals in the opening 30 minutes of action to outlast Siena, 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon. The Maroon & Gold moved into sole possession of first place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings at 7-1 with the victory.

Graduate student Camil Azzam Ruiz picked up his 11th goal of the season with the opening tally for the Gaels. His goal in the 28th minute was the 29th goal in his career, moving him into a tie for second all-time in program history.

Senior Aly Camara registered the second goal for Iona, his fourth of the season. Senior Elird Mero and graduate student Matias Morales assisted on the goal. Junior Nacho Alfaro Monge recorded four saves in goal for Iona.

THE RUNDOWN

The Gaels looked for scoring chances in 27th minute as a sophomore Sergio Gonzalez Fernandez shot was blocked by the Saints defense. After another cross inside the box, junior Thiago Cagna went to retrieve the loose ball and was fouled, giving the Gaels the penalty kick opportunity. Azzam Ruiz executed the penalty kick goal, finding the bottom left corner of the net for the 1-0 lead.

The Gaels continued pressure after the kick-off, drawing a throw-in deep in the Siena zone. Mero and Morales executed a perfect give-and go pass to find Camara cutting to the goal. The senior took two dribbles and fired his shot off the far right post and in from eight yards out for the 2-0 advantage.

Siena looked to answer late in the first half as Bilal Hersi drove down the left side of the Iona zone. He sent in a strong cross in from near the end line to find Zach Gardner by the right post for a header,  pushing the score to 2-1 in the 39th minute.

Out of the halftime break, the Gaels looked to add back to their lead with a 4-1 shot advantage through the first 18 minutes of the second half but were just off-target. The Saints looked to level the score in the 75th minute as a pair of shots from inside the box were denied by Alfaro Monge. The junior also made stops in the 81st and 87th minute to preserve the 2-1 win for the Gaels.

GOALIE/TEAM STATS

Alfaro Monge made four saves for Iona with all four stops coming in the second half. His counterpart, Bennet Glinder made six saves for Siena. The Gaels held a 13-8 margin on shots over the Saints and an 8-5 edge for shots on target.

AROUND THE MAAC

With the win, Iona stands alone at the top of the league standings with 21 points. Manhattan (6-1-1) erased a late deficit to earn a 3-2 win at Quinnipiac (0-4-4) this afternoon to move into second place with 19 points. Fairfield (2-6-1) earned a 2-1 home win over Saint Peter's (1-4-3) to wrap up the afternoon slate. Rider (3-2-2) travels to Mount St. Mary's (2-3-2) and Canisius (0-5-3) takes on Niagara (2-3-2) for 7:00 p.m. kick offs.

UP NEXT

The Gaels host Mount St. Mary's on Saturday (October 28) for a 1:00 p.m. kick-off. The Maroon & Gold will honor its senior class prior to the contest at Mazzella Field.