TEANECK, N.J. – Despite some strong chances at scoring in the second half, the Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer team fell to Iona 2-1 in its final non-conference match of the season.
 
The Knights (4-4-1) fell behind early but pressed for an equalizer late in the match, taking nine of their 13 shots in the latter period. The Gaels (5-2), however, struck again for a goal in the final minute before redshirt senior Daniel Lasarte broke through for FDU with a penalty kick goal in the closing seconds.
 
"It was a hard-fought game that could have gone either way," head coach Seth Roland said after the match. "I thought we competed well and a lot of guys got minutes, which is important for us heading into conference play. I thought we were a little unlucky not to have a more favorable result, but the effort was there."
 
Redshirt sophomore Steven Ortiz started and played all 90 minutes in goal for the Knights, recording his first six saves of his FDU career. For Lasarte, the goal was his first of the season and sixth of his career.
 
Iona came out firing, attempting three of the game's first four shots. In the 18th minute, a shot saved by Ortiz was deflected, and FDU tried to clear the ball out of danger but instead the ball was deflected into the net for an own goal, providing Iona a 1-0 advantage.
 
The Knights then countered with three shots inside of five minutes after the Iona goal, including a Fallou Tounkara try off a centered cross into the box that was saved by Iona goalkeeper Giuliano Santucci.
 
Trailing 1-0 heading into the second half, the Knights went on the offensive, attempting the first five shots of the latter half. Sophomore Joshua Ferreira and freshman Ville Ahola each created good looks on goal with their shots but each missed the target.
 
The Burgundy and Blue continued to keep possession in their attacking half and created chances to equalize, but shots from junior Diego Arribas, junior Rocky Garretson and sophomore Ideal Shefqeti could not find the net.
 
Ortiz later made a leaping save off a free kick shot with less than eight minutes to play, helping keep the Knights within striking distance. Iona, however, later regained possession and found paydirt on a cross into the middle from the right side by Najim Romero, with Esad Mackic striking in the deciding goal.
 
Off the ensuing kickoff, the Knights were quick to play the ball forward into their attacking box, drawing a foul to set up a penalty kick. Lasarte elected to take the kick and buried his shot into the back left corner with nine seconds to go.
 
Iona, however, cleared their kickoff into FDU's half of the field, allowing time to run out and end the match.
The Knights played a total of 18 players in the match, including freshman Sebi Morrello who subbed in for 22 minutes as a defensive midfielder to make his collegiate debut. Ortiz and freshman Jared Subarsky played the entire 90 minutes for FDU.
 
The Knights return to NEC action for their next match on Sunday, October 6, traveling to Loretto, Pa., to take on Saint Francis U at 2 p.m.