Riverdale, N.Y. (October 1, 2006)- Niagara's Eric Brodfuehrer capitalized on a Manhattan turnover and found the back of the net in the second overtime as Niagara emerged with a 1-0 win over Manhattan this morning at Gaelic Park. The Jaspers fall to 2-10-0 (0-2-0 MAAC), while the Purple Eagles improve to 4-5-0 (2-0-0 MAAC) with their second straight double overtime win.
Brodfuehrer gained possession of the ball at the 18 yard marker, and beat Manhattan keeper John Ciano to the lower corner to end a hard-fought and well played game.
Manhattan carried play for much of a rain soaked first half, out shooting Niagara 10-3, and forcing Purple Eagle net minder John Fiutowski to make four of his seven saves. The Jaspers' best scoring opportunity of the first half came at the 15:12 mark, as Adolfo Rivera's shot was cleared off the goal line by Niagara's Dave DiPaola, saving a sure-fire goal.
Niagara had the best scoring chance in the second half, as the skies cleared and the sun came out. With 7:01 left in regulation, Joe Skinner's shot from point blank range was stopped by Ciano, and Steve Kauble's second chance shot off the rebound sailed over the crossbar.
Neither team could crack the scoreboard in the first overtime, though Ciano registered two saves and Fiutowski tallied one save during the 10 minutes period, setting up Brodfuehrer's game-winner.
Ciano ended the match with five saves. Manhattan held a 17-16 edge in shots and a 13-12 advantage in corner kicks, and showed an aggressive offense, as the Jaspers were whistled for offsides 10 times.
Manhattan returns to action on Friday, October 6, traveling to Loudonville, N.Y. to battle Siena College in a MAAC contest slated to begin at 3:00 p.m.