NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College men's soccer team opened up 2018 homecoming with a bang on Saturday afternoon. Rookies Esad Mackic, Mauro Bravoand seniors Anthony Gomez and Killian Colombie all scored as part of the Gaels 5-0 win against the visiting Siena Saints.

SCORING RECAP

In front of over 1,300 in attendance, the Maroon & Gold wasted no time with Mackic scoring in the opening thirty seconds. Colombie stole the ball from an errant deflection off a Siena defender and began to carry it down the left sideline. The Paris, France native dished a pass inside the box where his rookie forward counterpart was unmarked. Mackic batted it home for his first collegiate score.

Iona made it 2-0 with just 2:45 having run off the clock. Junior Malcolm Morenodribbled through a series of defenders on the right side before leading sophomore Josh Plimpton toward the corner. The hero against Manhattan crossed one high into the box where Bravo flew in like an eagle and headed it inside the right post.

Gomez scored his first of two goals in the closing moments of the first half. Junior Francesc Chulia stood atop the box and lofted a soft pass to Gomez who was situated just inside the box on the left side. The scoreboard lit up 3-0 when Gomez one-timed it past the outstretched Siena keeper with 18 seconds remaining before halftime.

The Maroon & Gold got two extra insurance goals in the second half. Much like the first half, it took the Gaels zero time to deflate the Saints. Colombie scored his sixth of the season in easy fashion. Senior defender Tomas Jamett had it at the left corner in the attacking area and just fed it neatly to Colombie who was stranded alone.

Gomez made it a career-day in the 85'. Redshirt senior Sebastian Gordillo came off the bench in the second half and provided the helper in Iona's most finessed goal of the match. Gordillo found the cutting Gomez in the box and Hackensack, NJ native back-heeled a beauty to make it 5-0.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• Saturday's five goals scored is Iona's highest Oct. 14, 2015 at home against the Marist Red Foxes. It was a 5-2 win with goals from Luis Mendoza, Daniel Huertas, Marcos Nunez and Colombie.
• Sophomore Giuliano Santucci made two saves. Iona had one team save. It is the third shutout for Santucci this season and fourth this season for the Maroon & Gold.
• Iona's nine shots on goal is its highest since Sept. 29 against Canisius. It had a season-best 15 shots on goal and 29 total shot against the Golden Griffins in a 4-0 win.
• The Gaels set a new season-best in points (16), goals (5) and assists (6). Gomez set net career-highs in points (4) and goals (2).
• Bravo scored his first goal since Sept. 29 against Canisius. He had been held pointless in three straight matches.
• Plimpton now has points in both of his starts this season. He had the game-winning goal against Manhattan on Oct. 17 in his first start of the season.
• Iona outshot Siena 12-8 and had an edge in corner kicks 6-4.

UP NEXT

Iona's next game is on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at home against the Monmouth Hawks. The match will begin at 3 p.m. and prior to the game the Gaels will host its annual senior day ceremonies. Head coach James Hamilton will honor seniors Anthony Gomez, Killian Colombie Samuel Saenz, Rory Head, Sebastian Gordillo, Ali Dwaha and Humbert Ferrer.
 

SOCIAL MEDIA

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