NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Daniel Huertas tapped in a feed from Daniel Ocana in the 78th minute as Iona defeated the Monmouth University men's soccer team, 1-0, Wednesday afternoon at Mazzella Field. With the loss, the Hawks fall to 5-9-2 (4-5-0 MAAC), while the Gaels improve to 5-11-0 (4-4-0 MAAC).
After a scoreless first half, the Hawks came out firing early in the second half. But consecutive shots on target by
Andy Martinez (Paterson, NJ/St. Benedict's) and
David Nigro (Marlboro, NJ/Marlboro) in the 52nd and 54th minutes, respectively, were saved by Iona goalkeeper Julian Petrello.
The game remained scoreless until the 78th minute, when Ocana carried the ball down the left side and crossed to Huertas for the tap in.
Brandon McCarthy (Ludlow, MA/South Kent) forced Petrello to make a diving save in the 85th minute and
Chase Covello's (Spring Lake, NJ/The Peddie School) free kick from 20 yards out in the 88th minute went wide of the left post as Iona held on for the victory.
NOTES
- Iona snapped a three-game losing streak to Monmouth, including a pair of 2-1 setbacks on neutral fields in the conference tournament.
- Since Monmouth joined the MAAC in 2013, the home team in the series between the Hawks and Iona has won each game by a 1-0 margin.
- Monmouth leads the all-time series with the Gaels, 13-7.
- Monmouth played the game without MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List honoree
Anderson Asiedu (Hoboken, NJ/St. Benedict's), who was serving a one-game suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.
CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS
- Iona took a 15-8 edge in shots, but just a 5-4 advantage in shots on target.
- Iona took six corner kicks to Monmouth's one.
- Petrello and Monmouth goalkeeper
Eric Klenofsky (Lincoln Park, NJ/DePaul Catholic) each made four saves.
- The Gaels were whistled for 14 fouls to the Hawks' two. Iona's Jordan Scarlett was shown a yellow card for the only caution of the game.
UP NEXT
The Hawks conclude the regular season at home on Senior Night, Saturday against Marist. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
