The Iona University men’s soccer team ended the regular season with an overall record of 7-5-5 with an in-conference record of 5-1-4, securing them the second seed in postseason. 

The Gaels earned themselves a bye in the first round of playoffs, allowing them more time to prepare for their semi-final match-up against Manhattan College. Iona faced Manhattan in the regular season and defeated them 2-1. 

The Maroon and Gold hosted the Jaspers on Thursday, Nov. 10. This match was the first ever Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Semifinal match hosted by Iona. 

The Gaels got ahead early with a goal from Matias Morales in the third minute, the first of the senior’s career. Camil Azzam Ruiz and Elird Mero both earned an assist on the goal. The Gaels were able to defend their goal for the remainder of the game, defeating the Jaspers 1-0 to advance to the MAAC Championship game. 

The Gaels faced Quinnipiac University in the regular season and ended in a draw 1-1 when the Bobcats scored in the 90th minute. The last time Iona and Quinnipiac faced off in the post season was in 2019 when the Gaels took the Semifinal match on Quinnipiac turf.  

Iona traveled to Hamden, Connecticut to face off against the Bobcats for the MAAC title on Sunday, Nov.13. Iona fans, including a bus full of students, made the trip to show their support for the Gaels. 

The Bobcats got on top first, scoring a goal in the eighth minute. Azzam Ruiz had four first-half chances that the Quinnipiac goalkeeper was able to keep out of the net. After the first half, the Gaels trailed 1-0 despite their 10-4 advantage in shots.  

The offensive momentum continued in favor of the Gaels throughout the beginning of the second half until the Bobcats put up two more goals in the 56th and 65th minute. The Gaels finally broke through in the 80th minute when Aly Camara found the back of the net off an assist from Morales. 

The fight was not over yet, with just 113 seconds remaining, Mero found the back of the net, the first of the junior’s career. The Gaels were quick to get the ball rolling again to try to score the equalizer, but with just a few seconds left, the Bobcats were able to run the clock and claimed the MAAC title with the final score 3-2. 

The Gaels had a monumental season, remaining unbeaten at home and making it to the MAAC championship game for the first time since 2019. The team also had seven all-MAAC honorees. Azzam Ruiz, Sergio Gonzalez Fernandez, Tom Fillaudeau and Tim Timchenko earned All-MAAC Second Team. Federico Russo, Matias Morales and Frederik Johnson Oee were named to the All-MAAC Third Team. 

The Gaels now head into offseason with their sights set on what is to come in the 2023 season.