George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
Iona
Men’s Soccer Hosts Iona on Saturday in 2023 Home Opener
9/1/2023 9:50:00 AM | Men's Soccer
WASHINGTON - After starting the season with a pair of 2-2 draws on the road, the George Washington men's soccer team (0-0-2, 0-0-0 A-10) returns home for the first time this weekend to host Iona (1-1-0, 0-0-0 MAAC). Kickoff at the GW Soccer Field is set for 3 p.m., and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.
WELCOME BACK
The Revolutionaries are hosting the Welcome Back Game on Saturday, as the match marks the first home match of 2023 for GW men's soccer. GW students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to cheer on the Buff and Blue as they take on the Gaels. Admission is free, and free posters will be available for those in attendance (while supplies last).
TURNER TURNING HEADS
Buff and Blue newcomer Will Turner has wasted no time settling into his new colors. A junior-transfer from Lipscomb, Turner is tied atop the Revolutionaries' points list with four points (1 goal, 2 assists), and has played a role in three of GW's four goals. Turner collected one goal and one assist on opening night at ODU, before notching his second helper on Monday at Manhattan.
HOT START HISSRICH
First-year Ben Hissrich is showcasing his offensive prowess early in his Buff and Blue career. Through two matches, Hissrich has two goals and is tied with Turner atop the Buff and Blue points chart with four points. Hissrich has made the most of his time on the field - having played just 99 minutes up until this point - he has fired both of his shots into the back of the net.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
GW faces its second-straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) foe in Iona, who enters Saturday's contest with a 1-1 record. The Gaels lost, 1-0, on opening night at Virginia, before bouncing back to defeat GW's next opponent, Stony Brook, by a score of 3-2 on Monday evening.
Iona finished the 2022 season with a 7-5-5 record, which included an impressive 5-1-4 in the MAAC. The Gaels entered the 2022 postseason as the No. 2 seed in the MAAC tournament, eventually losing to the No. 1 seed Quinnipiac in the conference championship.
Iona was picked to finish second in the MAAC behind last year's champions, Quinnipiac. A pair of Gaels were also featured on the Preseason All-MAAC Team: sophomore Sergio Gonzalez Fernandez and junior Tim Timchenko. Fernandez started all 17 matches as a first-year in 2022 and led the Gaels in assists (2 goals, 5 assists), while Timchenko recorded a career-high three points in 2022 (1 goal, 1 assist).
LOOKING AHEAD
GW will host Stony Brook at the GW Soccer Field on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Kickoff between the Revolutionaries and Seawolves is set for 3 p.m., and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.
