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Iona University Athletics

MSOC Celebration Huddle
Meg Kelly
5
Winner Iona ION (4-3-3, 2-0-1)
1
Niagara NIA (2-7-2, 0-2-1)
Winner
Iona ION
(4-3-3, 2-0-1)
5
Final
1
Niagara NIA
(2-7-2, 0-2-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Iona ION 1 4 5
Niagara NIA 0 1 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Danny Smith / Athletic Communications Assistant

Iona MSOC Erupts For 5-1 Win at Niagara

LEWISTON, NY— The Iona University men's soccer team had a stellar Saturday afternoon on the offensive end, setting a new season-high in scoring with a 5-1 road win at Niagara. The Maroon & Gold offense tallied four goals in the second half against the Purple Eagles to earn the second Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory of the season. 

Five different goal scorers contributed for the Gaels as senior Jose Silva and sophomore Jad Benjelloun tallied their first collegiate goals. Junior Dino Feratovic, sophomore Francesco Borla and freshman Bautista Rossi all recorded their second goals on the year. Benjelloun, Feratovic and Silva all added an assist in the win. Junior Sergio Gonzalez Fernandez registered three assists and senior Thiago Cagna added his second multi-assist game of the season. Freshman Fernando Alves Schmelz made five saves in goal for the Gaels. 

GAME SUMMARY

The game opened with chances from both sides with Iona holding 2-1 margin on shot attempts for the first 15 minutes of play. The Gaels broke open the scoring in the 19th minute as the Purple Eagles turned the ball over. Gonzalez Fernandez stole the pass and dished the ball back to Feratovic. The junior defender then sent the ball downfield to the foot of Rossi in stride. The rookie one touched the ball and buried the one-on-one look to the bottom left corner for the 1-0 lead.

The Gaels kept the attack going in the first half, consistently working chances in the Niagara end with shot after shot. The Purple Eagles goalkeeper Jamie Barry kept his team in the game with nine saves in the opening half as Iona's offense put up 11 shot attempts.

Coming out of the halftime break, the Gaels continued to attack as Feratovic fired home a shot just a minute into the restart. The Purple Eagles challenged shortly after as Schmelz made his first two saves of the game shortly after. 

Iona added to its tally in the 52nd minute as Cagna led the attack down the middle before laying the ball over to Benjelloun. He played the ball over to Silva out on the right side to bury his first career goal from six-yards out to the near post for the 2-0 lead.

Niagara earned a free kick around midfield in the 53rd minute and sent the ball directly into the box. It was met by a collection of boots before Lucas Fenton found the ball and slotted it into the right corner to get the Purple Eagles on the board.

The goal barrage began after the 70th minute as Benjelloun received a strong pass through the Niagara back line from Silva and buried his first collegiate goal right corner of the next. Two minutes later,  Borla found the back of the net after some give-and-go passing by Gonzalez Fernandez and Cagna.

Feratovic ended the scoring in the 84th minute on the corner kick by Cagna. He smoked the header to the far post to bring the final to 5-1.

TEAM STATS

  • Schmelz stopped 5 Niagara shots on goal while Jamie Barry saved 13 Iona shots on goal.
  • The Gaels dominated with 20 total shots and 18 on goal, compared to 12 shots with six on goal for the Purple Eagles.
  • The Maroon and Gold earned seven corners while Niagara earned five corner attempts.

AROUND THE MAAC

  • Saint Peter's and Manhattan played to a 1-1 draw in Riverdale.
  • Siena earned a 3-0 shutout victory at home against Merrimack.
  • Rider went on the road and recorded a 2-0 win at Quinnipiac.
  • Sacred Heart and Mount closed out the day with a 2-2 draw in Emmitsburg.

UP NEXT

The Gaels travel to Loudonville for a 3:00 p.m. duel with Siena on Saturday, October 19 at Hickey Field.
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