CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - The Iona University men's soccer team dropped its season opener 1-0 at No. 15 Virginia in non-conference action at Klockner Stadium. The nationally ranked Cavaliers scored the lone goal of the contest in the second half.
Virginia's Daniel Mangarov came off the bench and scored in the 70th minute, rattling a shot off the right post and over the line off assists from Leo Afonso and Mouhameth Thiam.
The Cavaliers led 24-4 in shot attempts including 13-1 on goal. Junior goalkeeper
Nacho Alfaro Monge recorded 12 saves.
Graduate forward
Camil Azzam Ruiz recorded three of Iona's four shot attempts and had the squad's lone chance on net, in the 85th minute. Rookie midfielder
Jad Benjelloun also recorded a shot in his collegiate debut.
The Gaels continue a three-game road trip to start the season on Monday at Stony Brook. Kick-off is at 6:30 on Long Island.
