FINAL SCORE
Monmouth 2 (1-2-1)
Iona 1 (0-1-2)
 
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Jasen Bottini's second half goal lifted the Monmouth University men's soccer team to a 2-1 win over Iona University on Tuesday afternoon. 
 
The win was Monmouth's first of the season and gave head coach Robert McCourt the 200th win of his career. 
 
The Hawks applied the pressure early forcing the Iona goalkeeper to make a pair of saves in the first 15 and a half minutes of the contest. On the other end of the field, Otto Moosbrugger had a pair of big stops for the Hawks. 
 
Monmouth broke through on the scoreboard in the 23rd minute. Jakob Friedman played a ball in on a corner kick to the far post and Damian Taraska headed it home for the 1-0 advantage. 
 
Moosbrugger came up another big stop with just under 10 minutes to go before the half for the Hawks. 
 
Monmouth took the 1-0 lead at the break. 
 
Both teams got shots off early in the second half. 
 
Iona got the equalizer in the 63rd minute as Alvaro Maneiro converted a penalty kick.
 
The Hawks continued to apply the pressure and got the go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute. Monmouth was awarded a free kick and Bottini converted the just over 18-yard kick.
 
Moosbrugger made two big saves down the stretch as the Hawks claimed the 2-1 victory.

NOTES AND QUOTES
"Today was a full team effort. We stayed disciplined in key moments, and we also created some fantastic chances on attack. The team is young and getting better each game."
        - Head coach Robert McCourt

- It was the 27th meeting all-time between Monmouth and Iona. The Hawks lead the all-time series, 17-9-1.
- Robert McCourt moves to 200-123-71 in 22 seasons on the Monmouth bench. 
- Damian Taraska scored his first career goal for the Hawks. He joins Marcin Kluz as rookies to score this season for the Hawks.
- Jakob Friedman's assist was his team-leading second of the season and his ninth of his career. 
- Jasen Bottini's goal was his first of the season and fourth of his career. 

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Iona outshot the Hawks, 13-9 in the contest. Both teams put six shots on goal in the match. 
- Both teams took six corner kicks in the contest. 
- Otto Moosbrugger made a career-high five saves in goal to secure the win in goal. 
- Fernando Alves Schmelz made four saves in the loss for Iona.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 6 when the Hawks travel to Drexel for a 1 p.m. match