NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College men’s soccer program dropped a heartbreaker on Saturday evening, falling in overtime to Fairfield, 1-0. The Stags game-winning goal in the 99th minute came after the Gaels had two shots and a corner kick chance in the early portions of the extra time.
At the onset, both the Gaels and Stags struggled to grab offensive footing. In the first half, each team combined for just five total shots. The first sizeable threat came on the first corner kick of the game taken by Fairfield junior Ben Wignall in the 34th minute.
Sophomore Daniel Huertas attempted the lone Iona corner kick of the first half in the 43rd minute, leading a scoring chance that sophomore Humbert Ferrer tucked wide.
At the end of 45 minutes, neither of the MAAC foes had a shot on goal while combined to tally 10 fouls. Iona had one offside called against them.
The Maroon & Gold took to the offensive come the start of the second. Senior Teddy Forson had a shot blocked in the opening moments, and soon after Huertas and junior Matias Correa nearly connected on the team’s second corner kick chance of the game.
Freshman Juan Alcantara had to made his first save in net in the 64th minute. The rookie kept the Stags off the board by turning away senior Dominic Marshall. Senior Joe Martin kept the Gaels off the board in the 74th minute with his first save of a shot by senior Jordan Scarlett.
Iona had a final scoring chance in the 89th minute with Ferrer placing a shot on net that was turned defended by Martin. The Stags answered with their own late-regulation attempt when freshman Eirik Anderson forced Alcantara to make a save with just 20 seconds left on the clock.
At the end of 90 minutes, Iona had an 9-6 shots advantage, and 4-2 edge in corner kick opportunities. Both the Maroon & Gold and Fairfield had 13 fouls and three yellow cards apiece.
Iona dominated in its first overtime minutes of the season, creating pressure and chances in the offensive zone. However, a foul committed in the defensive end proved costly.
Junior Angus Hastings picked an opportune time to score his first goal of the season. He put away a sliding shot off a free kick taken by sophomore Diego Casielles.
The Gaels finished the game with an 11-7 shot advantage, and a 5-2 corner kick opportunity edge. Each team had three shots on goal.
With the loss, Iona now stands at 1-1 in MAAC play. The Gaels continue conference action at Marist on Wednesday, Oct. 5.