Men’s soccer senior forward Ignacio Maganto has had a storied career both at Iona and in Spain.

The Madrid native previously played for Getafe in his hometown for five years in the youth academy. In his last year with Getafe, he started playing with the Second Team in the Segunda B Division, which is similar to the Minor Leagues in baseball.

In his four years at Iona, he has turned into one of the star players and a team leader, being named captain.

When he first came to the U.S., he was beginning a completely new chapter of his life. He did not know a word of English and was moving across the ocean from his family, friends and girlfriend.

Additionally, when he started as a freshman at Iona, he noticed a difference in the style playing.

“In the U.S., soccer is more physical (much more physical),” he said. “There are few teams who like to play the ball; however, in Spain, it is much more technical.”

He has gotten used to the new type of play in America and knows both styles. One way in which soccer differs in the two countries is the amount of stamina that is required to be successful.

In the U.S., the players spend more time focusing on fitness because there are more games in a shorter amount of time. Meanwhile, in Spain, the games are more spread out, which allows the teams to hone in on the mental aspect of the sport.

“[In the U.S.,] the season is short but intense, and requires physical fitness as sometimes there are three games per week,” Maganto said. “[While in Spain,] the season is longer and does not require much physical conditioning, but the game does require much more technical skills, which is in what the training is primarily based on.”

Maganto also noticed a major difference in the way in which teammates bond with one another. At Iona, he has established close friendships with his teammates.

“Here in the U.S., maybe everything is more professional in that athletes are here for [soccer], so your life revolves around it,” he said. “Basically, you spend the whole day with your mates as we all are in the same university. In Spain, each player has his separate life and that’s pretty different.”

On the field, Maganto has proven himself as quite a player for the Maroon & Gold.

During his senior campaign, in which the Gaels finished second in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), he led the team with 11 goals and five assists.

As a junior, he received an All-MAAC First Team selection and posted 21 points with nine goals and three assists. He was also named to the NCAA Division I Men’s All-North Atlantic Region First Team.

In each of his first two seasons, he was recognized as an All-MAAC Second Team honoree. He tallied seven goals over the two seasons, six of which came during his freshman campaign.

“[As a soccer player in the U.S.,] you feel important, valued, and you feel how people encourage and trust you,” Maganto said. “Soccer is like a big family.”