BUFFALO, N.Y. - Iona (3-2-2) secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Canisius (3-4-1) in a back-and-forth MAAC conference matchup on Saturday afternoon at the Demske Sports Complex. The match featured multiple lead changes before Iona claimed the winning goal in the final minutes.
The scoring opened in the 36th minute when Canisius benefited from an own goal, taking a 1-0 lead. The teams traded opportunities throughout the first half, with Iona's Chris Morandi and Storm Schmidt Hollensted both testing the Canisius defense with shots in the 24th and 30th minutes respectively.
The first half showcased Iona's attacking intent, as they outshot Canisius 7-3 in the opening 45 minutes. Storm Schmidt Hollensted was particularly active, recording two shots on target, while Andres Becerra and Sebastian Curti both created dangerous opportunities. Canisius defended resolutely, with their backline limiting clear chances despite Iona's possession advantage.
The second half saw increased intensity from both sides. Alvaro Maneiro nearly leveled for Iona in the 46th minute with a shot that sailed just high. The visitors continued to press, with Bruno Rivera forcing a save in the 54th minute. Noah Baumslag threatened for Canisius with three shots in the final twenty minutes, including a close attempt in the 84th minute that required a defensive block.
The statistical dominance of Iona was evident throughout the match. The Gaels outshot the Golden Griffins 18-10 overall, with a 6-5 advantage in shots on target. Iona also earned nine corner kicks to Canisius's four, demonstrating their territorial advantage. The match saw four yellow cards issued, with Yannik Vogel (27'), Andrey Mora Bravo (43'), and Jaime Roman (86') cautioned for Iona, while Gianni Angaran received a yellow for Canisius.
Individual performances shaped the outcome significantly. Alvaro Maneiro was instrumental for Iona with three shots and consistent threatening runs. Noah Baumslag led Canisius's attack with four shot attempts, while Storm Schmidt Hollensted created multiple dangerous opportunities for the Gaels before being substituted in the 66th minute.
Tactically, Iona's approach centered on maintaining possession and creating opportunities through wide play, particularly utilizing the speed of their wingers. Canisius adopted a more counter-attacking style, with Romero Nicolazzo and Edson Flores looking to exploit transition moments. Both teams made strategic substitutions throughout the second half, with Iona's fresh legs proving crucial in the late stages.
The victory extends Iona's positive form, following their recent win at Binghamton and bouncing back from a loss to James Madison. For Canisius, the defeat ends their two-game winning streak after victories over Mercyhurst and Rider.
Looking ahead, both teams return to MAAC action next week. Iona (3-2-2) hosts Saint Peter's on October 1st at 1:00 PM, while Canisius (3-4-1) welcomes Siena to Buffalo for a 3:00 PM kickoff on the same day. The match officials were led by center referee Marcus Thompson, with assistants David Chen and Sarah Rodriguez.