NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University men's soccer earned a 2-1 win over Manhattan on Senior Day. The Gaels were led by a two-goal effort from rookie
Bautista Rossi and junior
Loukas Georgiou earned his first career win in goal to take the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tilt over the Jaspers on Saturday afternoon.
Prior to the contest the Maroon & Gold recognized its senior class as
Thiago Cagna,
Nathaniel David,
Michael Hesse,
Elird Mero,
Ricardo Senen Pinillos,
Tim Timchenko and
Jose Silva were honored at Mazzella Field.
Rossi's two goals came in the 9th and 35th minutes with the second being the game winner for the Gaels. The rookie forward now ranks second on the team and all four of his goals this season have come against league foes. Senen Pinillos added an assist for his third of the season on the second Iona goal. Georgiou made his first appearance and start for the Maroon & Gold in goal and stopped four shots in the win.
GAME SUMMARY
Iona opened the game on the attack and was eager to strike first. After putting pressure in the attacking third off the kick-off, the Gaels found a chance after a turnover as Rossi stole the ball and took the charge. He dribbled past the keeper and slotted it into the near corner and put the Gaels up 1-0 in the ninth minute.
The Jaspers were prepared to find the equalizer in the 23rd minute but a fantastic save by Georgiou kept visitors off the board. Manhattan attempted one more shot on the scoring chance as the rebound bounced 10-yards out but sophomore
Jaime Roman Jr. was there to block the shot.
Manhattan would be able to break through and tie the game in the 33rd minute as Sebastiano Musu headed a cross from Ensa Sanneh into back of the net to tie the game at 1-1.
The tie would be short lived as Senen Pinillos would push down the right side of the field before sending the ball into the box. He found Rossi in front of the goal and the rookie used smart footwork to chip the go-ahead strike past the diving Jaspers keeper.
Coming out of the half, both teams were eager to attack and a handful of cards were given out throughout the second half. Chances from both sides, but no one could seem to finish.
In the 86th minute, a heavy tackle from Manhattan resulted in a red card and leaving the Jaspers down to 10 men needing to find an equalizer. Georgiou tallied his lone second half save in the 89th minute off the rebound on the corner kick with a diving stop to deny Manhattan the equalizer. The Gaels slide back into first place in the league standings with the victory and Rider's draw against Marist.
TEAM STATS
- The Gaels held a 15-12 advantage on shots for the game with a 7-5 total for shots on goal.
- Georgiou and Iona made four saves while Manhattan made five saves.
- The Jaspers led with an 8-3 margin on corner kicks for the game.
AROUND THE MAAC
- Marist and Rider played to a 2-2 draw in New Jersey.
- Quinnipiac defeated Niagara, 1-0.
- Fairfield and Canisius also battled to a 2-2 draw in Buffalo.
- Mount and Siena also played to a 2-2 tie in Emmitsburg.
- Merrimack took down Sacred Heart at home, 3-2.
UP NEXT
The Gaels conclude the 2024 regular season on Wednesday, November 6 with a trip to Saint Peter's for a 2 p.m. bout at Jaroshack Field. Iona has locked up a top-two seed in the 2024 MAAC Men's Soccer Championship and has a chance to repeat as MAAC Regular Season Champions against the Peacocks.
