Box Score
ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of North Florida men's soccer team was edged 3-2 by Iona in the finale of the UCF Fall Classic in Orlando, Fla. The Ospreys took a 1-0 lead early, but two quick goals by the Gaels saw UNF down 2-1 at half. A late goal knotted the score at 2-2, but a header by Iona proved to be the difference as North Florida dropped its second match.
“It is the beginning of the year and we made some mistakes,” Head Coach Ray Bunch remarked after the match. “All in all, I thought we played really well. We know where this team stands and if we are able to clean up some of the mistakes we have been making we should be alright the rest of the season.”
The Ospreys jumped out to a quick lead as redshirt freshman Calvin Lowe took a pass from senior Frank Dinzey and Lowe's shot from the left wing beat the keeper on the far post less than three minutes into the match.
The goal marked the second time on the weekend the duo combined for a goal. In North Florida's match against UCF to open the tournament, Lowe had the assist on a Dinzey goal for the Osprey's first goal of the year.
The Gaels tied the score in the 33rd minute of the match. Iona's Mario Di Miceli took a pass from Vassil Roussopoulos off of a rebound and put the ball in the net to knot the score.
Four minutes later, Iona took its first lead of the match as Shane Jeffery headed the ball past the UNF goalkeeper. Mario Aceto crossed the ball into the box and Jeffery put the Gaels in front with the header.
The Ospreys were the beneficiaries of a bit of luck. In the 84th minute of the match, Iona miss handled the ball in the box and an own goal was scored tying the match at 2-2. The ball was crossed by an UNF midfielder that deflected into the net by a Gael defender.
The match did not stay tied for long as Iona scored the go-ahead goal shortly after the own goal. Giovanni Destasio headed the ball over the head of the UNF goalie off of a free kick by Fernando Liserra.
The goal proved to be the difference as the Ospreys' final shot attempted was saved by Iona.
North Florida returns to action on Friday, Sept. 11, as the men's soccer team heads to Greenville, S.C. for the Furman Diadora Tournament. UNF opens the tournament against Charleston at 4:30 p.m. before taking on tournament-host Furman on Sunday, Sept. 13, in a match scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
