NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Iona men's soccer freshman Mauro Bravo was named the Iona College Male Student-Athlete of the Week on Tuesday, Sept. 25.

Bravo was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week on Monday, Sept. 24. He earned that accolade with his three-point effort against Northeast Conference foe Fairleigh Dickinson. He had a goal on a free kick in the 23' and assisted on sophomore Tomas Jamett's first goal of his career.

Now in the midst of conference play, Bravo has appeared in nine games and made five starts. He has three goals and two assists. In his last game against the Canisius Golden Griffins, which was a 4-1 win for the Maroon & Gold, Bravo had a goal and an assist off the bench.

Get to know more about Iona men's soccer freshman forward, Mauro Bravo:

What are you studying here at Iona College and what motivated you on that decision?
"I am studying international business. I was motivated because my dad has a business. He is a soccer agent and I want to be where he is right now. I want to eventually have my own business."

What were the major reasons you decided to come to Iona?
"First of all the friends that I have here. Malcolm, Humbert and Najim. Second of all, it's because I think Iona has a really good program. They want to do well in our league and we want to win the MAAC. Also can't forget the academics. Iona has a very good school of business which is what I am studying."

"I knew Malcolm, Najim and Humbert before I came. I was really good friends with Najim. We all played together in Spain and now we get to play together here."

Are you excited for the new school of business that is being built here on campus?
"Yes! I am very excited. It looks really good and very futuristic. I think it is going to be really cool when it opens. It is going to make the school bigger. I can't wait for it to finally be done so we can all see it."

Back to the soccer field…what do you love about taking set pieces?
"When I was a kid, I had a goal in my backyard and I have been kicking free kicks since I can remember. I scored six free kick goals last year in my season. Whenever I get a free kick, I take the ball and think that I am going to score."

It says in your bio that you are a very good golfer. How did you get into the game of golf?
"I went to visit Scotland with my parents and I saw St. Andrews. I saw Jordan Spieth when he was just 15 and I saw him win his first European tour. He gave me his ball. Ever since then I have been playing, I think since I was eight years old."

Last weekend against FDU, yourself, your Spanish teammates and all the Spanish players for the Knights wore black armbands in memory of Celia Barquin Arozamena. She was the Iowa State golfer who was tragically murdered. Can you just explain how you knew her personally and what wearing those armbands meant?
"I knew Celia from the Golf Federation of Spain. She wasn't a real close friends but were friendly. It was very tragic news. And wearing the black armband, it may us feel power and everything that I did was for her. I was very happy that all my teammates wore the armband as well to remember her."

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