Iona Men's Soccer Earns Second Straight Win

RIVERDALE, NY – The Iona College men's soccer team picked up a second straight crucial win on Wednesday evening against the Manhattan Jaspers. Sophomore Josh Plimpton continues to flex his clutch gene with an overtime winner that pushed the Gaels back to 3-3-1 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play.

GAME SUMMARY

Head Coach James Hamilton started Plimpton for the first time this season and allowed him to play a full 96 minutes. The result was a 1-0 overtime win against neighborhood rival Manhattan. The South Glastonbury, CT native took his one and only shot in the 97' and punched Iona back to .500 in league play.
 
Rookie Esad Mackic set the play up with an initial shot that was saved by Manhattan keeper, Marcallin Gohier. The deflection took one large hop and Plimpton was able to split a pair of Jasper defenders and strike a grounded ball past Gohier's outstretched arms into the far left corner. The game-winner was put home after Manhattan's Noah Amissah had the overtime's first shot blocked in the 94'.
 
The Jaspers outshot the Gaels 7-2 in the first half and they had their largest sustained pressure in the middle portion of the frame. From 19:48 to 37:38, Iona had just one shot compared to seven for Manhattan.
 
Manhattan nearly scored in regulation in the 75'. Lucas Da Silva put one on sophomore Giuliano Santucci and soon after the Jaspers had three shots within a fifteen second stretch. Berti Fourrier had a strike blocked. Milan Devuyst line one up that was calling net but Iona was able to register a team save. Tristan Doran had the last attempt that sailed wide.
 
The Gaels fell short in the shot discrepancy 17-9. Gohier made four saves and Santucci made three. The Jaspers had three corner kicks compared to two for the Gaels. There were four yellow cards issued in the game.

NOTEABLE NUMBERS

• Plimpton is now tied with senior Rory Head for the team lead with two game-winning scores. Plimpton's first game-winner this season was in his first game of the season against Binghamton (Aug. 28) in overtime.
• Iona has not allowed a goal in 205 minutes dating back to its game against Fairfield (Oct. 10). It is its longest shutout stretch this season. Santucci now has two career shutouts.
• Iona's win at Manhattan was its first road conference win of the season. It was its fifth game decided by one goal or draw.
• The Gaels ended a two-game losing streak against Manhattan. Its last points came in a 2-2 draw in 2015.
• Senior Ali Dawha had a team-high two shots off the bench. Seven different student-athletes had one shot.
• Freshman Esad Mackic now has three assists on the season.

UP NEXT

Iona's next game is on homecoming Saturday, Oct. 20. Kickoff against the Siena Saints is at noon on Mazzella Field. The game is also the program's Maroon Maniacs game. You can watch the game live on ESPN3.

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