NEW ROCHELLE, NY— The Iona University men's soccer team recorded its third shutout victory of the season on Wednesday afternoon, defeating Marist, 1-0 at Mazzella Field. Freshman Alvaro Maneiro scored lone goal for the Maroon & Gold in the 30th minute burying a cross from four-yards out.

The first half tally was Maneiro's second goal of the season. Senior Jose Silva recorded his third assist of the season with the cross to Maneiro. Fellow senior Tim Timchenko registered his first assist of the year with the setup pass that led to the goal. Freshman Fernando Alves Schmelz made two saves for his second career shutout.

GAME SUMMARY

Iona had early chances throughout the first few minutes before Marist took over control and had a fair share of chances in the attacking third. A handful of blocked shots and saves were in high demand for the opening 30 minutes.

It wasn't until the 30th minute when Timchenko sent a long ball downfield to Silva who made a move before crossing the ball to the top of the box at the feet of Maneiro. He touched it for control while cutting through the Marist back line and and fired the shot into the bottom corner of the net. The eventual game winning goal was the first game winner of Maneiro's career and his fifth point of the season. 

Marist out shot Iona, 3-1 in the final 15 minutes of the first half looking for the equalizer but the Gaels defense did a stellar job forcing all the shots off target. 

Out of halftime, the intensity went up a notch as both teams battled to hold possession but both defenses were holding strong. Marist went down to 10 men in the 56th minute after Joseph Daher was booked for two yellow cards in a five minute stretch.  

Even down a man, the Red Foxes kept pushing into the attacking third trying to find the game tying strike. In the 64th minute, Marist's Skyler Cunha and Arion Ulaj both had open chances on net but stellar defense play from graduate student Elird Mero to make not one but two saves in front of the goal line for the Maroon & Gold.

In the final last 30 minutes, Schmelz made two saves for the Gaels while punching away several crosses by the Red Foxes in the box. The midfield led by junior Sergio Gonzalez Fernandez was able to take pressure off the defense and hold position move the ball forward in the final minutes to see out the third Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win for the Gaels.

TEAM STATS

• Marist outshot Iona, 15-12 for the game including an even 4-4 split for shots on goal.
• The Red Foxes recorded three saves in goal from Jamie Lowell while Schmelz and the Iona defense made four stops.
• For the fourth game this season, Iona tied its opponent in corner kick attempts. As both teams were even 5-5 for the game.

AROUND THE MAAC

• Siena drew with Canisius, 1-1 in Loudonville 
• Sacred Heart defeated Saint Peters 3-1 on the road.
• Fairfield and Merrimack battled to a 2-2 draw in North Andover.
• Manhattan earned a 4-2 win over Quinnipiac at Gaelic Park.

UP NEXT

The Maroon and Gold head to Connecticut on Saturday, October 26 for a 3:00 p.m. duel with Quinnipiac in the second game of a doubleheader as the women's programs kick off the day at noon. Both games will air on ESPN+.