EDISON, NJ – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference announced the first weekly award winners of the 2017 men's soccer season Monday afternoon.  Junior Kellar Sirstins earns his first MAAC Defensive Player of the Week accolade, and freshman Josh Plimpton takes home the MAAC Rookie of the Week honor.

The Iona College men's golf program took down No. 24 UConn in overtime on Friday, Aug. 25.  The 1-0 win was the first time the Maroon & Gold ever took down the Huskies, and it was the program's first win over a ranked opponent since 2012.

Sirstins was crucial to the Gael victory, keeping UConn off the board for the entirety of the 107:30 play time.  The Taylorsville, UT native biggest save came in the 48th minute when junior Abdou Mbacke Thiam stepped up to the dot with a penalty kick chance.  After staying grounded on an initial stutter-step move, Sirstins dove and got just enough of his fingers on the shot to deflect it off the post and out of danger.

UConn peppered the Gael defense with 12 shots.  It was the first shutout of Sirstins tenure at Iona.

The Gaels had a happy ride home from Storrs, CT courtesy of brilliance of Plimpton.  The rookie entered the game at 72:29 of the second half an immediately made an impact.  His hard work on the pitch came to fruition as the first overtime was coming to a close. 
Fellow freshman Lenworth Lopez drew a foul in the offensive zone, earning a dangerous free kick position.  Senior captain Luis Mendoza stepped up and delivered it into the box and fellow veteran Joshua Calderon got a head on it.  After a brief scrum, the ball fell to Plimpton who buried it past the UConn defense.

The Gaels return to action on Friday, Sept. 1 with a contest at VCU at 7:00 PM.  The weekend will wrap up with a contest against Old Dominion in Norfolk, VA at 5:00 PM on Sunday, Sept. 3.

Fans can keep up with the latest news and excitement surrounding Iona men's soccer by following the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
 

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