On Oct. 25, Iona men’s soccer faced Merrimack University on Mazzella Field and won, 3-1.
The Gaels seized early momentum, pressing forward to create scoring chances from the kickoff. In the 27th minute, Alvaro Maniero finished a well-built attacking play, putting Iona ahead 1-0. Soon after, in the 38th minute, Aitor Jorde scored to extend their lead to 2-0.
Merrimack responded by capitalizing right after to score and make it only 2-1. Both teams continued pushing offensively until Iona lost possession in midfield, shifting the game’s dynamics and momentum for a short period due to being down a man for the last few minutes of the game, which is crucial in soccer because the last few minutes are when all eleven men start to press. However, the Gaels regained their form and not only kept their lead but added another goal, making it 3-1, with Bolur scoring the last one in the 88th minute, and they won by the final whistle.
On Oct. 29, the Gaels traveled to Sacred Heart University, and the match ended in a 0-0 tie.
Iona looked explosive in the first, having the most control of the ball. This led most to believe the game could have gone their way. But that was not the case, because later in the game, Sacred Heart was able to get more and more possession. Even though Iona outshot them in this game, the Pioneers still kept the Gaels in a neutral position, with few opportunities. On the other hand, the Pioneers had a great opening to take the lead, but Iona Keeper Fernando Alves Schmelz denied the shot to keep the game tied and end it.
On Nov. 1, Men’s Iona Soccer took on Mount St. Mary’s on the Mazzella Field, the final score being a 3-1 victory for the Gaels. Jorde, along with Storm Schmidt Hollensted, Chris Morandi, Yannik Vogel, Riccardo Di Vincenzo, Bruno Rivero, Sean Krause-Huckleberry, Matias Manchenco and Loukas Georgiou were all honored and started this crucial game.
In this game, the Gaels were not holding back. Morandi scored instantly in the first minute to give the Gaels a 1-0 lead. After some competitive ball movement, both teams went back and forth, but it didn’t take long for the Mountaineers to answer, scoring in the 39th to make it 1-1.
Going into the second half, the Gaels found their rhythm and truly shined, scoring in the 57th and 60th, both goals from Bolur and Maniero. One of the goals was a penalty to finish the game 3-1 for their second-to-last game of the season.
With the victory over Mount St. Mary’s, the Gaels clinched a spot in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship Tournament, which starts on Nov. 9.
