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Iona University Athletics

MSOC Goal Celebration vs. Merrimack
Joe D'Aloisio - Iona Athletics
1
Warriors MER (4-7-3, 2-4-2)
3
Winner Gaels IONA (6-3-4, 4-1-2)
Warriors MER
(4-7-3, 2-4-2)
1
Final
3
Gaels IONA
(6-3-4, 4-1-2)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Warriors MER 1 0 1
Gaels IONA 2 1 3

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Aaliyah Reyes - Athletic Communications Assistant

Iona MSOC Tops Merrimack, 3-1

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University men's soccer team delivered a commanding performance on Saturday afternoon with an emphatic 3–1 victory over Merrimack in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at Mazzella Field. The Gaels jumped out to an early first half advantage and used gritty defensive play in the second half to defeat the Warriors for the team's second consecutive win.

For the second straight game, three different goal scorers found the back of the net for Iona. Sophomore Alvaro Maneiro and graduate student Aitor Jorde tallied their third goals of the season in the first half. Rookie Enbiya Bolur capped the scoring with his third goal of the season in the final minute. Graduate students Storm Schmidt Hollensted and Chris Morandi along with sophomore John Oualaalou all registered assists for the Maroon & Gold.

GAME SUMMARY

The Gaels came out strong dictating the tempo from the opening whistle with crisp ball movement. Iona capitalized in the 28th minute off a Warriors yellow card and free kick chance just outside the 18-yard box. Maneiro stepped up and fired a right-footed shot into the upper 90 for the early 1-0 advantage. 

Momentum continued in the 38th minute as the Gaels pressed forward with another corner kick attempt. Morandi lined up to take the right-side corner and delivered a perfect ball to the dead center of the box for a charging Jorde to deliver the header into the back of the net to give Iona a 2-0 lead.

Merrimack answered just three minutes later as a long throw in on the right side from Jonathan Kratz found Rocco DelGiudice near the far post who sent a pass to Alessandro Bedei to bury the open chip shot to make it a 2-1 game at the halftime break.

The Warriors pressed early out of the halftime break with a shot on goal in the 52nd minute but Schmelz was there to make the quick save. From there Merrimack continued to control the tempo with four shot attempts over the next 20 minutes but the Gaels back line made sure to contest every shot.

Iona was a man down the final 12 minutes of action after a second yellow card, but the defense held strong and Schmelz made a clutch save in the 88th minute to hold the score. A breakaway attempt in the final minute saw Oualaalou dribble from midfield well into the Warriors defensive end. He sent a pass out to the right side for Hollensted who took two dribbles and fired a lead pass to Bolur to bury the final tally. 

TEAM STATS

  • Merrimack held a 16-10 advantage on shots while Iona led 4-3 for for shots on goal.
  • The Warriors also held a 7-2 margin on corner kicks. 
  • A physical league contest saw 24 combined fouls and There were 24 combined fouls between both teams with 15 yellow cards handed out.

UP NEXT

The Gaels hit the road for their next contest with a trip to league leading Sacred Heart on Wednesday, October 29 for a 6 p.m. contest at Park Ave Field. 

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