You haven’t really seen a soccer game until you’ve watched the Stony Brook men’s team play. From the opening moments of their first home game versus Iona on September 5th, the Seawolves were on top of their game. Despite the rain, they kept the fans on their toes.
Early on, the crowd was impressed by a phenomenal save by Stony Brook goalie, junior Ej Xikis. But the Seawolves were not on the defensive for long.
After several shots on goal, junior Michael Palacio fired a rocket into the back of Iona’s net in the 28th minute. This low shot flew by the Iona keeper, who barely got a chance to look at the ball as it flew past him.
Several more exciting plays developed in the first half, but the Seawolves were unable to put away a second goal.
In the second half, Stony Brook fans booed the referee for an offsides call during a play that would have led to a second Stony Brook goal.
The Seawolves struggled with offsides calls all evening, racking up a total of ten offenses. As the second half continued, several plays were made on the Iona net, but the Seawolves were unable to convert.
Notable efforts were made by Adam Ciklic, who made three failed shots on goal during the game. During the last 15 minutes of the game, Stony Brook pounded the goal, with several near misses.
With five minutes left in the game, an Iona defender fumbled the ball and freshman Collin Geoghegan picked it up in an exciting drive to the goal, but was unable to convert.
A minute later, Michael Palacio made another fantastic shot, but it was blocked by a great save by the Iona goalkeeper. The next minute, junior Mahamadou Simpara drew the keeper out of the goal with some great footwork, but was unable to convert a goal.
Finally, in the last two minutes of the game, Simpara floated a ball softly to the back of the net after drawing the goalie out of the net. This goal was made off a great assist by freshman, Alexander Bentacourt. Both Palacio’s and Simpara’s goals were their first of the season.
This win improves the Seawolves’ record to 1-3. You can catch their next home game at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium on Tuesday, September 19th. Don’t miss it!
