NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College men's soccer team improved its 2009 record to 13-2-2 overall and 7-1 in MAAC play with a 2-1 win over Canisius at Mazzella Field. The Gaels are 10-1 in their last 11 games after topping the Golden Griffins (5-11-2, 4-4 MAAC). With its seventh conference win the team set a new program record, eclipsing the previous mark of six set in 1998.
Iona outshot Canisius 7-2 in the first half and took a 1-0 lead into the break. Freshman MF Alvaro Torrecilla put the Gaels on the board with his fifth goal of the year, scoring on a penalty kick in the 40th minute.
Shortly after entering the game in the second half, junior F Keith Wood recorded his first career goal to help Iona to a 2-0 lead. Rookie MF Douglas Stephens chipped a short pass to Wood, who beat visiting goalkeeper Luke Seymour with a shot into the right side of the net.
The Griffs erased the shutout just over six minutes later on a goal by Alan McGreal after McGreal recieved a pass from the right sideline off the foot of J.J. Hughes. In the contest, the Maroon & Gold led 11-7 in shots and 6-3 in corner kicks. Senior goalie Nils Binstock had two saves.
With the win, combined with a Loyola loss to Saint Peter's, the Gaels clinched the top seed in next weekend's MAAC Championship. It is the first time that Iona has earned a regular season championship. The Maroon & Gold also ended the Greyhounds three-year reign as the No. 1 team heading into the conference tournament. The Gaels host Niagara on Sunday on Senior Day in the regular season finale. Game time is set for 12:00 pm.
