Garden City, N.Y. – On Friday night, the men's soccer team kicked off the 2012 season with a home game against the Gaels of Iona College. After a scoreless first half, it was the visitors that broke the deadlock in the latter stages of the game on a picked up rebound to go ahead 1-0 which is how the game would play out. With the loss, the Panthers drop to 0-1 while the Gaels advance to 1-0.
 
In the first half, both squads had opportunities to score with Adelphi getting the first look at the 29:29 mark when Adrian Sundquist received a header pass from freshman Alejandro Penzini but sent it just high of the net. 19 minutes later, senior Domenico Parrelli sent in a corner kick and connected with Adam Weinzimer who lobbed a shot that was clear of Iona keeper, Borja Barbero, but had too much on it as it sailed just high and off the mark.
 
Iona had a scoring chance at the 27:08 mark when Robbie Krohmer got a solid look on goal from eight yards out, but sophomore Ahmad Salamah made an athletic save to keep the visitors at bay.
 
In the second, the Gaels threatened when Ignacio Maganto fired a rocket toward the Panther net. Salamah made a diving attempt and just got a piece of the ball, forcing it to redirect and bounce off the crossbar and back into play.
 
However, it was not the last time Maganto threatened. Otto Ansger penetrated deep into Adelphi territory and fired a shot nearly point blank at Salamah who came up with the big save, but the rebound was immediately picked up by Maganto who finally broke the silence and found the back of the net, giving Iona a 1-0 lead.
 
In a last minute attempt, the Panthers began their charge down field as the clock approached the 87^th minute. Penzini lofted a pass into a waiting Sundquist who headed the ball and beat Barbero to seemingly tie the game. However, the goal was called off due to offsides.
 
The Panthers were outshot 23-5 on the night and were at a 7-2 disadvantage in corner kicks. Salamah made six saves in the loss while his counterpart made one.
 
Adelphi returns to action on Friday, August 31 when they travel down to High Point, NC for a matchup against High Point University at 7pm.
 
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