Seawolves Men's Soccer Victorious in Home Opener

By Antony Lin
Sports Editor

Although the constant drizzle perhaps weakened the returning reception for the defending America East champions in the home opener, the Stony Brook Seawolves would pick up where they left off and defeat the Iona Blue Devils 2-0.

A few adjustments were made in the lineup for Stony Brook.“We shifted our system around a little bit,” said head coach Cesar Markovic. “We gave ourselves a different look and played with heart.”

“Everyone played well,” said Mahamadou Simpara. “We gave everything and it was a team effort. So we got the result.”

The Seawolves nearly took the early lead seconds into the match. Just inside the box, Tamer Mohamed laid the ball off perfectly to Michael Palacio. Palacio’s one time effort forced a diving stop by Blue Devils goalkeeper, Robert Blake.

The visitors nearly took the lead in the 10th minute off a defensive error. Recovering the ball, Nicholas Smaldone left footed blast from 17 yards out was brilliantly tapped over the bar by Seawolves goalkeeper E.J. Xikis.

Three minutes later, Stony Brook would come back with another golden opportunity courtesy of Simpara. Palacio’s outswinging corner kick took an awkward bounce, which Simpara then got a head on. His header would denied by Blake.

The Seawolves would get what would be the game-winning goal in the 28th minute off a misclearance. Palacio would end up capitalizing by volleying home a rocket into the lower right corner from 17 yards out.

With a bit of a slow start to the second half, the home side nearly added an insurance goal in the 59th minute after Adam Ciklic’s goal was disallowed despite appearing onside.

Six minutes later, Ciklic’s header off a throw-in from Collin Geoghegan , was saved by a diving Blake.

The Seawolves would continue to pressure. In the 87th minute, Palacio was able to split two defenders. His shot from 22 yards out would be parried away by Blake.

Stony Brook would get the insurance goal two minutes later. Alexander Betancourt slipped a through ball that led Simpara to a breakaway. Simpara comfortably chipped the ball over Blake to make it 2-0.

“That goal relieved everyone,” stated Simpara. I am so happy for that goal and for the win, especially getting our first win.”

The Seawolves improve to 1-3-0, while Iono dropped to 1-2-1.

“Tonight we had a good defensive effort,” mentioned Markovic. “We found the rhythm late in second half. I think we found something tonight and hopefully it carries for the rest of the season.”