STONY BROOK, NY - Iona University men's soccer graduate forward Camil Azzam Ruiz recorded the program's first hat trick in 10 seasons in a 3-2 win over Stony Brook in non-conference action at LaValle Stadium. Azzam Ruiz scored his first goal in the 34th minute to draw first blood in a game the Gaels (1-1) never trailed. The Maroon & Gold picked up its first win of the season, following a narrow defeat at nationally ranked Virginia last week.
 
Azzam Ruiz found the back of the net with 21:37 left in the first half to give Iona a 1-0 lead. Graduate transfer Lans Bovenberg picked up his first point as a Gael with the assist.
 
Early in the second half, the Seawolves knotted the score at 11. Amit Magoz was assisted by Moses Bakabulindi and Bas Beckhoven in the 60th minute.
 
Azzam Ruiz struck again just over two minutes later, this time taking a feed from classmate Matias Morales to put Iona ahead 2-1.
 
Iona's striker scored his third of the game in the 67th minute to add a key insurance tally. Morales and junior Thiago Cagna earned assists on the goal.
 
Stony Brook would make it a one-goal game just 49 seconds later on an Olsen Aluc score.
 
Over the final 20 minutes, the Seawolves outshot the Gaels 8-4. Iona withstood the charge to earn the road win.
 
Azzam Ruiz' hat trick was the first since Ignacio Maganto on October 12, 2013 vs. Rider. It was the sixth three-goal game since 2001 as he joins Angser Otto (2013), Paul Racines (2012), Aly Lo (2012) and David Kinneman (2004).
 
Stony Brook out shot Iona 16-11 but the Maroon & Gold 8-5 in shots on goal.
 
Junior Nacho Alfaro Monge earned two saves.
 
Iona evened the series at 3-3 as the two times met for the first time since 2016. The Gaels last win on Long Island came in 2008 and last win was at home in 2015.
 
The Gaels complete a three-game road rip to start the season at George Washington on Saturday (September 2) at 3 p.m.