NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College men’s soccer team suffered its first conference loss of the season Wednesday evening, falling on the road to the MAAC preseason favorite Monmouth, 1-0. Hawks sophomore midfielder Andrew Gee scored the game-winning goal in the 35th minute, and despite second half dominance, the Iona offense could not get a shot past junior goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky.
The Gaels had a chance to get on the board early on in the game when freshman Daniel Huertas took a shot from just within 10 yards in the 25th minute; however Klenofsky stuffed the opportunity, making his first of seven saves on the night for Monmouth. Huertas led the Maroon & Gold with five shots, freshman Daniel Ocana Garcia and sophomore Marcos Nunez each chipped in three scoring chance as well.
Gee gave his Hawks the only scoring they’d need when he pushed a goal by Iona’s Julian Petrello in the latter portions of the opening half. The sophomore got assists from teammates John Egan and Colin Stripling leading to his second net-finder of the season.
From the onset of the second half, Iona Head Coach Fernando Barboto saw his team maintain heavy possession and dominate the offensive end. The Gaels outshot the Hawks 12-3 in the final 45’, and ended up on the positive edge of a 17-7 discrepancy for the game. The Gaels made Klenosky stop five shots in the second half, the most impressive being in the 55th minute when he once against stopped a close range attempt by Huertas.
Both Monmouth and Iona had six corner kick opportunities in the match.
It was the third time Iona has been shut out this year; all such games were 1-0 losses.
The Gaels return to the pitch this Saturday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM as Iona welcomes the Rider Broncs to Mazzella Field.