Iona University’s men’s soccer team defeated the reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champions, the Quinnipiac University Bobcats, Saturday afternoon in New Rochelle, N.Y., on Oct. 7.
After a heartbreaking loss to Quinnipiac in the 2022 MAAC championship game, the Gaels were out for revenge on their home turf.
The two teams battled in the pouring rain, but that did not stop Iona’s top goal-scorer, Camil Azzam Ruiz, from getting the Gaels on top in the 19th minute, beating the goalkeeper one-on-one. The Bobcats responded just minutes later with a goal from their top scorer.
The score remained tied after halftime until early in the second half when senior Aly Camara found the back of the net with an assist from graduate student Matias Morales. Camara topped off the goal with his infamous backflip, a crowd favorite.
The Gaels controlled the game’s momentum and defended their goal, defeating the Bobcats, 2-1.
Iona traveled to Lawrenceville, N.J., to face Rider University just days later in another MAAC match-up. The offense did not waste any time garnering a 3-1 lead within the first 12 minutes of play.
Azzam Ruiz scored the first goal off a penalty kick, and junior Thiago Cagna followed up with one of his own from 30 yards out. The Broncs came back, scoring off their own penalty kick, but Iona responded with a goal from Azzam Ruiz, assisted by Cagna.
The Gaels’ strong offensive push continued after the half with another goal from Cagna in the 68th minute. The Broncs came back quickly scoring a goal of their own, but the Gaels secured the win in the 81st minute with a goal from junior Ricardo Senen Pinillos.
Iona remained undefeated in the MAAC, beating Rider 5-3.
The Gaels once again played another rain game during homecoming on Oct. 15, as they took on Saint Peter’s University. Four different Gaels found the back of the net, while junior Nacho Alfaro Monge and senior Azal Dottin combined for three saves to secure a 4-0 win against the Peacocks.
Azzam Ruiz found the back of the net for the sixth straight game, reaching 10 goals on the season for the graduate student. Sophomores Sergio Gonzalez and Frederick Johnson Oee, along with Morales, scored their first goals of the season in the victory.
The Gaels will continue their six-game winning streak as they travel to Poughkeepsie, N.Y.to face Marist College on Oct. 18.
