NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - Junior midfielder Francois "Paco" Navarro (Paris, France/William
Carey) scored a goal, but the No. 25 Monmouth University men's soccer team was
defeated by Iona, 3-1, Saturday afternoon at Mazzella Field. With the loss, the
Hawks fall to 5-2-1, while the Gaels improve to 2-6-0.
Navarro got the Hawks on the board
first, depositing a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box into the back
of the net past Iona goalkeeper Borja Barbero in the 17th minute.
Samuel Adjei scored on a
give-and-go with Ansger Otto to beat Monmouth goalkeeper Alex Blackburn's
(Natick, Mass./Natick) left in the 33rd minute to tie the score at
1-1. Just 1:25 later, Otto scored the game-winner on a lob over Blackburn. Alvaro
Torrecilla and Michael Hodgen were credited with assists on the play.
The Gaels added some
insurance in the 57th minute, when Douglas Stephens beat Blackburn
to a Torrecilla pass outside the box and chipped it in from the left side. Otto
was also credited with an assist on the play.
For the game, Monmouth
outshot Iona, 17-14, while the Hawks took a 2-1 edge in corner kicks. Barbero
made seven saves for Iona, while Blackburn countered with five saves for the
Hawks.
The Hawks return to action
Friday, when they open Northeast Conference play in Connecticut against
Quinnipiac. Kickoff from the Quinnipiac Soccer Field is scheduled for 3 p.m.