NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Iona College men's soccer sophomore Franklin Castellanos and freshman Borja Barbero have been named the MAAC's Offensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week, respectively. Additionally, Iona has reclaimed the number one spot in the NSCAA North Atlantic Regional Rankings.
Castellanos quietly led Iona in a 2-0 week, recording three points in the Gaels' wins over Adelphi and Saint Joseph's. The 5'6" midfielder assisted on the game-winning goal against the Panthers for his sixth assist of the season. Castellanos put Iona on the scoreboard in the following game against the Hawks, earning his fourth career goal in the eighth minute.
Barbero added career victories six and seven in Iona's two wins. The Spanish goalkeeper totaled six saves with just one goal allowed over 180 minutes. Barbero earned his third shutout of the year with four stops against Adelphi and saved two more in the Gaels' win over Saint Joseph's.
Iona makes its second appearance of the season as the leader of the North Atlantic Region in the Sep. 27th National Soccer Coaches Association of America college poll. At 7-1-0 in non-conference play, the Gaels stand in 28th place in the College Soccer News Top 30 National Poll for the week ending Sep. 25.
