MAAC Men's Soccer Opens 2014 Season
MAAC Sports
EDISON, N.J. – The 2014 Men’s Soccer season opened up Friday with nine league teams in action. Three MAAC teams picked up season opening wins in their openers while one opened with a tie.
Marist picked up the league’s first win of the 2014 season with a 1-0 home win against Villanova. Senior midfielder Myles Ashong scored for the Red Foxes in the second half with the lone goal of the game. Ashong scored one goal in 2013 to go with one assist. Freshman goalkeeper Mark Rajovic made three saves in his first collegiate appearance.
Fairfield earned a 1-0 season opening shutout in their first away game of the season against Army. The Stags scored their lone goal in the first half when sophomore defender Ben Whitcomb scored to break the tie, netting his first career game winning goal. Junior Matt Turner saved seven shots on goal in his first start as the Stags goalkeeper. This game marks the first time that Fairfield has defeated Army in nine attempts.
Iona took thier game to double overtime and came away with a 1-1 tie against Boston College. The Eagles scored first in the second half to take the lead slipping one past sophomore goalkeeper Julian Petrello. Petrello went on to make seven saves not allowing another goal for the remainder of the match. Senior forward and All-MAAC Preseason Player of the Year Ignacio Maganto scored for the Gaels midway through the second half to tie the game at 1-1. A single goal would not be scored through two overtimes leading the Iona tie.
Monmouth, the 2014 preseason favorite, picked up their first win of the 2014 season in dominating fashion outscoring UMass Lowell 5-0 at home on the Great Lawn. Senior forward Dom Sarle and sophomore forward Dave Nigro each scored two goals in the contest. Four goals were scored in the first half including one by senior midfielder Bryant Avalos. Sophomore goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky made four saves in the match. The Hawks have now won five of their last six opening day starts and their five goals marked their highest offensive output since 2006.
The MAAC teams will take the field again on Sunday with a full slate of action when Rider and Siena kick off their seasons and four MAAC teams return to action.
For a full look at the 2014 men’s soccer season schedule, visit maacsports.com, and for all updates on men’s soccer, follow the conversation on twitter using the hashtag #MAACSoccer.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
The MAAC, headquartered in Edison, N.J., consists of 11 member institutions for 2014: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter's University and Siena College. For more on the conference please visit, www.maacsports.com. Be sure to follow the MAAC on Facebook and Twitter: @MAACSports.