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Iona University Athletics

Chris Morandi
Stockton Photo Inc.
1
Iona ION (4-2-3, 2-0-1)
1
Fairfield FAI (4-4-2, 2-1-1)
Iona ION
(4-2-3, 2-0-1)
1
Final
1
Fairfield FAI
(4-4-2, 2-1-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Iona ION 0 1 1
Fairfield FAI 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Brian Duane / Assistant AD / Athletic Communications

Iona MSOC Battles Back to Earn 1-1 Draw at Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Iona University men's soccer team battled back to earn a 1-1 draw at Fairfield on Saturday night. Graduate student Chris Morandi netted the equalizer in the 88th minute to draw even with the Stags at Lessing Field and earn a point for the Gaels in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action.
 
It was Morandi's second goal of the season and in conference play. Junior Calle Sjoberg had the primary assist, his fourth of the season. Graduate student Storm Schmidt Hollensted also recorded his second assist of the year on the play. Sophomore Fernando Alves Schmelz tallied three saves in goal for the Maroon & Gold.

GAME SUMMARY

After two quick shot attempts from the Stags kicked off the game. Iona looked to break through in the 13th minute on a corner kick attempt. A cross in from Sjoberg connected with junior Florian Schutt but bounced off the left post.
 
The two sides continued to trade attempts as the first half wore on but were unable to find a clear lane through the opposing defenses. Fairfield broke open the scoring in the 36th minute as Cameron Gerber placed a long cross into the center of the box for Kaea Rangihaeata to one-touch and fire the shot to the lower right corner of the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.
 
Iona had one more look in the final 31 seconds of the first half as a header from graduate student Aitor Jorde was swallowed up by Stags keeper Evan Chomow.
 
Fairfield continued to push the pace out of the halftime break outshooting Iona 4-1 in the first 13 minutes of second half action. Alves Schmelz made a stop in the 51st minute and Schmidt Hollensted recorded a team save with a header as the last line of defense in the 58th minute.
 
Over the next 29 minutes of play Iona consistently pushed the pace, holding an 8-1 advantage on shots. But were unable to crack Chomow who made six stops over that stretch for Fairfield.
 
As the game entered the final minutes Iona drew one final corner kick attempt at the start of the 88th minute. A failed clear by Fairfield off the kick from Hollensted made its way back to Sjoberg on the left side. He fired a long cross into the box that bounced past the Stags defense to Morandi about eight yards away from the goal. Morandi collected the ball and rifled a shot that went to the upper right 90 off the crossbar past the reach of Chomow and into the back of the net to tie the game 1-1.
 
The Gaels looked to continue with momentum as rookie Andrey Mora Bravo and senior Bruno Rivera fired in shots in the last two minutes but missed off target to keep the result at 1-1.

TEAM STATS

  • Iona's pace on the offensive end saw a season-high 18 shot attempts to Fairfield's 11 on the night. The Gaels tied its season-high with nine shots on goal while holding the Stags to four on target.
  • Iona attempted eight corner kicks on the night while Fairfield only attempted three corners.
  • The Gaels tied the season low with eight fouls to the 16 by the Stags. Three yellow cards were handed out, one to Iona and two to Fairfield.

UP NEXT

The Gaels return to Mazzella Field on Saturday, October 11 for a 1 p.m. tilt against Niagara.
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