Men’s Soccer Battles to Double Overtime Draw With Iona

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU Brooklyn men's soccer team saw their season opener go to double overtime Friday afternoon on LIU Field, as the Blackbirds and the Gaels of Iona battled to a 1-1 tie. The game was hotly contested throughout, with over 30 shots between the two teams. Sophomore Fredrik Mathisen scored LIU's lone goal, the first of his career. Iona had the momentum in the first half, outshooting the Blackbirds, 10-2, but at the half, the two teams were still knotted at 0-0. The second half was explosive, and LIU's offense started off on a better foot right away. Senior Romario Guscott had a shot seven minutes into the half that ricocheted off the right post, and senior Ahmad Elfahamand freshman Xavi Verdu both had shots that were saved over the next few minutes. LIU finally got on the board in the 78th minute, when Mathisen got the ball at the top of the box. The sophomore dribbled through the defense and placed the ball perfectly in the bottom left corner of the net, making it 1-0 for the home team. But less than 30 seconds later, a card was issued on LIU at the top of the box. Iona freshman Mauro Bravo capitalized on the free kick, arching the ball into the top right corner, and tying the game up, 1-1. The card was one of many, as the two teams would have nearly 30 fouls called, and nine different red and yellow cards. Both teams had red cards issued in the final 11 minutes of regulation, and the 90-minute period ended with LIU playing down to Iona, nine men to 10. The two teams went to two ten-minute overtime periods, but neither team was able to get much offense going. The Blackbirds held the Gaels to minimal offense, despite being a man down for the entire 20 minutes. Iona would have a header shot in the first overtime period, but sophomore keeper Anthony Sciola made the save, and the same thing happened in the second overtime period, with Sciola recording his ninth save of the game to keep the score tied at 1-1. With the tie, both teams start the season 0-0-1. Up next, the Blackbirds host Northeastern on LIU Field, Monday, August 27 at 4 p.m.