Iona University’s men’s soccer team beat Marist College at Tenney Stadium in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on Oct. 18, extending their winning streak to seven games.
Following their dominant 4-0 victory against Saint Peter’s during homecoming weekend on Oct. 14, the Gaels traveled to Marist’s home field and shut them out 1-0.
Iona’s lone goal came within the first five minutes of the affair, as junior Tim Timchenko booted a kick into Marist’s zone, intended for senior Aly Camara. After gathering the ball, Camara settled and found junior Thiago Cagna heading towards the goal. Cagna dribbled for a moment before successfully firing a shot from 15 yards out and into the lower left corner of the net. The play marked Cagna’s second goal of the year and Camara’s third assist.
On the defensive side, meanwhile, goalkeeper Nacho Alfaro Monge produced three saves in his scoreless outing. The shutout is his second of the season and 10th in his collegiate career.
The Gaels’ winning streak was snapped after a 1-0 loss to Fairfield on Oct. 21.
Both sides were quiet throughout most of the game, failing to score on twelve combined shots through the first 38 minutes.
Fairfield finally broke through two minutes later, scoring the eventual game-winner thanks to an Alex Marin back-post shot.
Iona returned to Mazzella Field on Oct. 25 as they took on the Siena Saints.
The Maroon and Gold scored early and often during the afternoon matchup, picking up two goals within a half hour of action.
Graduate student Camil Azzam Ruiz’ 11th goal of the season placed him in a tie for second place on the program’s all-time goals list with 29.
Camara posted the other score, his fourth through 13 games.
Alfaro Monge seemed to get better as the game wore on, with four Siena shots from the 75th minute onward being saved, securing Iona’s 2-1 win.
The Gaels capped off the month of October with their penultimate game of the regular season against Mount St. Mary’s University on Oct. 28.
It was Senior Day for the men’s soccer team, and one of their class of 2024 players, Azzam Ruiz, led the way for Iona.
Graduate student Matias Morales found Azzam Ruiz cutting towards the goal in the eighth minute. Although he narrowly missed on his first shot, Azzam Ruiz buried the rebound mere seconds later to put the Gaels up 1-0.
The Mountaineers knotted things up early in the second half, but Azzam Ruiz struck once again with a deadly penalty kick from the right side.
Iona’s 2-1 win brings their record to 10-3 overall and 8-1 within the conference, handing them the MAAC regular season title. After the regular season finale on Nov. 1 versus Manhattan, Iona begins their postseason run during the MAAC Semifinal Round on Nov. 9.
