NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University men's soccer team won its MAAC Championship Semifinal match against Marist, 3-1 on a cold Sunday afternoon. The Maroon & Gold booked a trip to the MAAC Championship game for the third consecutive season and will take on the winner of no. 2 Rider and no. 3 Siena on Sunday, November 17.
. Seniors
each earned an assist in the first half and for Cagna, it was his tenth of the year. The second half featured senior
, who earned assists. Marist would add a goal to keep it close, but junior goalie
MATCH SUMMARY
From the opening whistle, both teams were battling in the midfield to hold possession and find ways to create chances. It took the Gaels less than ten minutes, before they found their breakthrough.
In the 9th minute after a turnover, Cagna pressed forward and sent a ball into the box where both Borla and Rossi were waiting. Borla off of his right foot curved the ball past the dropping keeper into the far post corner and the Gaels celebrations begun.
Iona kept their attack going and would not step off the gas. Forcing the Marist back line to find a solution to continue to get the ball out of their attacking half.
The Maroon & Gold would earn a free kick right outside the box in the 35th minute and Timchenko's attempt on net would be blocked but after regaining possession, he would find Rossi in the box and the lead would jump to 2-0 after Rossi fired it into the left corner.
Spirits were high at Mazzella Field going into the break as the Gaels managed 13 shots and gave up only five with none being on target.
Coming out of the break, the Red Foxes tried to control the flow of the game and for the most part they had it. They would finally break in the 65th minute with the substitute Silva found himself free in the box.
Build up play and great passing from Benjelloun to Maneiro who crossed it into the free Silva, where he smashed the ball into the net and the crowd erupted as the Gaels 3-0 felt insurmountable. Silva's second goal of his season and shows the strong depth of Iona, who have been battling with key players being sidelined by injuries.
The three goal lead would be short lived as Marist would find their first at the foot of Richard Morel after the ball was bouncing around the box before Morel hit it off the post and in the far corner.
Georgiou and the Gaels push for three straight clean sheets would end, but an overall strong showing from the junior adding all his three saves in the second half.
Iona as the clock hit zero has found themselves back in the MAAC Championship Final for the third straight season hoping to lift the trophy for the first time since the first time since 2019.
TEAM STATS
- The Gaels held a 20-16 advantage on shots for the game with a 9-4 total for shots on goal.
- Georgiou and Iona made three saves while Marist made six.
- The Gaels trailed the Red Foxes on corner kicks with a 5-4 margin for the game.
Around the Maac
- #2 Rider face off with #3 Siena at 7 p.m. in Lawrenceville, NJ.
Up Next
The Gaels will host the winner of no. 2 Rider and no. 3 Siena in the MAAC Championship Final on Sunday, November 17th with a 1 p.m. start at Mazzella Field.
