NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Despite recording its highest shot total since 2012, the Iona College men’s soccer team fell in its 2016 home opener vs. Sacred Heart. The Pioneers capitalized on their limited offensive opportunities to overcome the Gaels 26-shot offensive barrage and upended the Maroon & Gold 2-1.
Iona outshot Sacred Heart by 19 and managed a distinctive edge in corner kick opportunities at 9-1. Despite the possession and attacking advantage, the Gaels were unable to overcome the Pioneers defense.
A defensive miscommunication by the Maroon & Gold led to Sacred Heart’s first goal at the 21:32 mark. Senior Shaquille Saunchez took possession of an errant pass in the defensive end, swooping in and scored the first goal from 15 yards out at the top right of the penalty area.
The Gaels responded with two shots on goal in the next six minutes. The blitzkrieg of attacking did not end and Iona left many chances on the field. A pair of the missed ventures came in the closing five minutes of the first half. Sophomore Daniel Huertas could not cash in on one-on-one attempt with the Sacred Heart keeper at the 42:08 mark and junior Luis Mendoza was robbed of a free-kick strike as the intermission buzzer sounded.
The Gaels continued to put pressure to start the second half. Junior Marcos Nunez hit the crossbar at the start of the second half, but the echo of Iona’s knock on the door did not scare the Pioneers. In the 62nd minute, Sacred Heart caught the Iona defense in retreat during a counter attack, resulting in a penalty shot chance when Saunchez drew a foul in the box.
Freshman defender Oscar Curras stepped up to the dot and buried a shot past Iona goalkeeper sophomore Kellar Sirstins to give the Pioneers a 2-0 lead.
The Maroon & Gold’s lone goal came at 69:43 when Huertas cleverly slid in a goal off a near right side cross from Nunez. It was the reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year’s second goal of the season and the 2015 MAAC Offensive Player of the Year picked up his first assist of 2016.
Following its score, Iona saw its greatest chance to tie come when sophomore Killian Colombie miss a left-footed chance with 14 minutes remaining. The Gaels did not record another shot following the near-ecstatic moment as the Sacred Heart mentality became purely of the brick wall variety.
Freshman Robert Strain was dynamic in goal for the Pioneers, making seven saves, including more than a pair of diving and sprawling stops.
Huertas led Iona with eight shots and Nunez fired six of his own. Sophomore Daniel Ocana booted four towards goal and Mendoza added a pair of shots on goal.
The Maroon & Gold’s next contest will be this Saturday (Sep. 3) vs. Drexel. Kickoff is set for 3:00 pm.