MONMOUTH FALLS AT IONA, 3-1

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Junior midfielder Francois “Paco” Navarro (Paris, France/William Carey) scored a goal, but the No. 25 Monmouth University men’s soccer team was defeated by Iona, 3-1, Saturday afternoon at Mazzella Field. With the loss, the Hawks fall to 5-2-1, while the Gaels improve to 2-6-0.

Navarro got the Hawks on the board first, depositing a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box into the back of the net past Iona goalkeeper Borja Barbero in the 17^th minute.

Samuel Adjei scored on a give-and-go with Ansger Otto to beat Monmouth goalkeeper Alex Blackburn’s (Natick, Mass./Natick) left in the 33^rd minute to tie the score at 1-1. Just 1:25 later, Otto scored the game-winner on a lob over Blackburn. Alvaro Torrecilla and Michael Hodgen were credited with assists on the play.

The Gaels added some insurance in the 57^th minute, when Douglas Stephens beat Blackburn to a Torrecilla pass outside the box and chipped it in from the left side. Otto was also credited with an assist on the play.

For the game, Monmouth outshot Iona, 17-14, while the Hawks took a 2-1 edge in corner kicks. Barbero made seven saves for Iona, while Blackburn countered with five saves for the Hawks.   

The Hawks return to action Friday, when they open Northeast Conference play in Connecticut against Quinnipiac. Kickoff from the Quinnipiac Soccer Field is scheduled for 3 p.m.