LEWISTON, NY - Iona College men's soccer freshman Esad Mackic found the back of the net with 21 seconds remaining in regulation to propel the Gaels to a 1-0 victory over Niagara in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play on the road. With its fifth straight win, the Maroon & Gold became the third MAAC squad to earn one of the six spots in next weekend's conference tournament in their final regular season contest of the 2018 campaign.
 
Mackic deflected a Killian Colombie cross in the final minute of the contest for his second collegiate goal. It was his second game winning goal in the last three contests. Mackic and Colombie combined on the Maroon & Gold's first tally in a 5-0 win over Siena last Saturday just 29 seconds into the contest. Colombie's helper was his third of the year to tie for the team lead with four other teammates. He leads the squad with 17 points.
 
Giuliano Santucci was spotless in net for the Maroon & Gold. He faced six total shots and recorded three saves. Santucci improved to 8-3-1 overall since taking over the goalkeeping duties six games into the season and recorded his fourth shutout in 12 appearances.
 
The Gaels outshot the Purple Eagles 14-6.
 
As a result of with Saint Peter's loss to Fairfield at home later in the day, Iona can finish no lower than fourth in the MAAC standings. The Maroon & Gold will host its first-ever MAAC tournament contest on November 4. The time and opponent for the quarterfinal round matchup will be determined by the results of the final day of the regular season for the rest of the league next Wednesday (October 31).  The Gaels will finish with the No. 3 or 4 seed for the tournament.  They will face one of Manhattan, Marist, Rider or Saint Peter's on Mazzella Field next Sunday.
 
Iona earned its 10th overall win of the season, entering the double-digit victory column for the first time since 2015 and the sixth time in the last 20 seasons.

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