Marist men’s soccer lost to Cornell 3-0 on Saturday night, extending the team’s winless run to open the year to three games after the Red Foxes drew their first two games.
Cornell’s goals came courtesy of a 21st-minute goal from senior forward Adam Schaban, a 64th-minute goal from senior forward Liam May and an 85th-minute goal from freshman attacker Andrew Miller. This shutout extends Marist’s goalless streak to 242 minutes dating back to its second goal in the season opener against Stony Brook.
“We always knew there was going to be work to do, but things might look a bit worse than they really are,” Marist head coach Matt Viggiano said postgame.
The Big Red started the season ranked 24th in the nation but dropped out of the Top 25 in the first rankings update. They went 14-4-2 last year and finished runners-up in the Ivy League, which resulted in a loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Senior midfielder and All-American Connor Miller had a strong game in midfield for Cornell, whose 4-2-4 formation overwhelmed the Marist backline while holding strong against the Red Foxes’ attack. The Ivy League program’s gregariousness served them well as substitutions throughout the game created numerous different attacking combinations.
Marist did welcome back sophomore winger Adriano Iannello after he missed the opening two games with a groin injury. The Preseason All-Metro Canadian looked strong in his roughly 50 minutes, using his pace and skill to generate looks for his teammates.
“It’s nice to get him back and hopefully have him back regularly. He’s a big piece for us.” said Viggiano.
The match got off to a slow start, with the first real chance not coming until Schaban had a volley look at the back post in the 8th minute. His shot went just wide, a huge relief for junior goalkeeper Alex Murania, who was not able to slide across the face of the net in time to block any potential shot on goal.
Iannello made his entry in the 22nd minute for fellow sophomore winger Ronan Hogg, and Marist’s attack immediately got some opportunities. A few throw-ins and free-kicks in the following minutes only resulted in one shot — Marist only took two in the first half, neither of which were on goal.
The Big Red threatened before the half with a pair of corners, both of which ended up in serious chances, but did not extend the lead. Iannello and redshirt freshman winger/fullback Dylan Gugin launched a counter-attack as the clock ticked under 15 seconds, but Cornell’s retreating defenders were able to recover in time to stop what would’ve been a huge momentum shifter.
Cornell, who led all of Division I in shots per game (20.10) and shots on goal per game (8.30) in 2025, took only five in the first half, two of which were on target. They did generate five corners and 13 total free kicks off of Marist’s eight fouls, but Schaban’s goal remained the difference at the break.
Verheul moved back to center midfield to start the second half, a position he played last year after moving up the field from center back. That change pushed junior midfielder Caio Cavaletti out wide left, a spot he’s played in throughout his first two years in Poughkeepsie.
“He’s not a natural striker, so I wanted to take a little bit off of his plate and let him play,” said Viggiano.
Hogg was booked in the 61st minute, the first Marist action of note in the second half. Iannello replaced him on the right flank moments later, but Cornell quickly extended the lead.
Junior midfielder Dominik Kolbl played a beautiful through ball on the ground to sophomore forward Sergio Zapata, whose shot was saved by Murania. The save left the goal open for May, though, who doubled Cornell’s advantage.
Head coach John Smith’s team looked more like its 2025 self in the second half as they rifled shots at Murania. Sophomore forward Blake Donahue, who was also booked in the second half, was denied by Murania in a 1-on-1 situation that would’ve sealed the game.
With under 10 minutes to go, Marist got a golden opportunity in the form of a 20-yard free-kick. Junior defender Evan Marques stepped up and sent a deliciously taken left-footed shot towards the upper left corner, but was denied by junior goalkeeper Filip Versterre.
Cornell extended the lead to 3-0 with 85 minutes gone after Murania rolled the ball out after a moment that multiple players had thought ended in a foul. Miller played on since the whistle hadn’t gone, and tapped the ball right past the keeper into the open frame.
“There may have been a foul there, but the ref didn’t blow the whistle. We have to be mentally stronger,” said Viggiano.
Neither team scored in the time that remained, with Cornell emerging from its season-opener with a road win.
The Red Foxes’ season-opening three-game homestand ends without a win and with a lot to be desired. Marist’s all-time record against the Ivy League is now at 2-11-0, with a 0-4-0 record against Cornell.
“We haven’t really gotten to go and bond as a group. There’s talent in this group and I’m never going to give up,” said Viggiano.
Marist now gets about a week off before travelling west for its next two games. The Red Foxes play Saint Mary’s (Calif.) (1-2-0) on Friday; kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST.
Edited by Max Rosen
Graphic by Isabel Cortese
Photos from Marist Athletics
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