NEWARK, NJ–The NJIT men's soccer team came up short, 2-1, against visiting Iona Tuesday evening in non-conference men's soccer action at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.

Iona scored a pair of goals in the first half and held onto the road win, improving to 3-2 on the season, while NJIT suffers its first loss at home, moving to 3-3-2 overall.

NJIT's lone goal was scored in the 78th minute by freshman Cristian LoGrasso.

How It Happened

• Iona scored the first goal of the match in the 15th minute on a penalty kick from Tom Fillaudeau.

• In the 18th minute, NJIT's Sergio Martinez Cubel chipped the ball toward the goal, just staying wide left.

• The Gaels doubled its score with a goal in the 28th minute on a chip by Matias Morales from Jad Benjelloun to Aly Camara who headed home the second goal of the match for a 2-0 lead. 

• After 45 minutes, the Gaels held a slight edge in overall shots (3-1) with the Highlanders only shot by Martinez Cubel.

• Iona's Sergio Fernandez blasted a right-footed shot from 25 yards in the 50th minute, which was saved by a diving Caden Pellito who tipped the ball out. 

• The visitors nearly made it 3-0 on a left-footed strike by Francesco Borla whose shot from the penalty area stayed wide left.

• The Highlanders had two opportunities to score on shots by Martinez Cubel in the 61st and 62nd minutes but both shots were saved by Iona's Nacho Alfaro Monge.  

• Asembo Augo's header off a serve into the box in the 64th minute sailed high.

• NJIT had two scoring chances in the 71st minute on a left-footed shot by Maximus Barboto and a close shot inside the box by Hugo Tavares.  Iona's Alfaro Monge stopped both Highlander shots.

• The Highlanders got on the board in the 78th minute off a corner kick by Jack Krongold served into the box to Asembo Augo who headed down the ball to Cristian LoGrasso at the top of the box, sending home the Highlanders first goal of the match.

• NJIT, which only recorded one shot in the first 45 minutes, edged Iona in final shots (11-9), including a 10-6 advantage in the second half.

• Martinez Cubel led the match with four total shots (two shots on goal) followed by Tavares with two.

Noteworthy

• The goal for LoGrasso was the first of his collegiate career.

• Krongold and Augo registered their first assist of the 2023 season.

• Senior goalkeeper Caden Pellito made his third career start (first of the 2023 season).
   
• Sophomore Maximus Barboto, the NCAA assists leader, was named America East Offensive Player of the Week, TopDrawerSoccer and CollegeSoccerNews Team of the Week.
   
• Eighth-year head coach Fernando Barboto was the head coach of Iona for 13 seasons prior to joining the Highlanders in 2016, building the Gaels into one of the top Division I men's soccer programs.
   
• Graduate student Kendell Thomas completed his undergraduate degree at Iona, playing in 13 career matches, including four starts on the backline.  Thomas is pursuing his masters in Business Administration.
   
• NJIT started out the season undefeated at home (3-0-1) with wins over Villanova, La Salle and Sacred Heart and tie against Rider.  Tuesday against Iona was the first loss at home this season for the Highlanders.

Next Up
NJIT will continue its five-match homestand on Saturday, September 23 when the Highlanders begin America East Conference action.  Kickoff is slated for 7pm on ESPN+.

Stay Connected
Stay up to date with the latest news and scores on X/Twitter and Instagram (@NJITSoccer) and liking NJIT Men's Soccer on Facebook.