Poughkeepsie, N.Y. (October 8, 2006)- After giving defending MAAC Champion Marist College all the Red Foxes could handle in the opening 45 minutes, three goals over a seven minute span early in the second half doomed Manhattan this afternoon in a MAAC, falling 4-1, in a game played at Prentiss Field on the Vassar Campus.
The Jaspers tallied the game's first shot on goal, as Anthony Cacciola forced Marist keeper Marcelo del Rio to make a save just 5:21 into the game.
At the 21:38 mark, Marist became the first team to crack the scoreboard, as Bruno Machado passed the ball to Luis Andre, who found Anthony Graci ten yard in front of the Manhattan net. Graci slipped the ball past Jasper goalkeeper John Ciano to put Marist up, 1-0.
The Jaspers out shot the Red Foxes 5-3 the rest of the half, with each goalkeeper making two saves, as the two sides went into the break with Marist clinging to its 1-0 lead. In what has become the norm under second-year head coach Michael Swanwick, the Jaspers played hard for the full half, tallying two shots in the last 2:15 of the half to take some momentum into the locker room.
The Red Foxes picked up their offensive intensity in the second half, and doubled their advantage at the 61:44 mark, as Steve Fantuzzo scored off a free kick from 20 yards out.
In a sign that still the Jaspers, though improving, are still a young squad, that marker seemed to cause a momentary lapse in concentration by Manhattan, and Marist capitalized with goals at the 63:14 and 68:26 marks to open up a comfortable margin.
Two of those aforementioned young Jaspers, Paul Rolston and James Gannon, showed the never-say-die attitude that has taken over the Manhattan program, teaming up to cut the deficit to 4-2 at the 70:44 mark, as Gannon fed Rolston in the penalty area, and Rolston scored his first collegiate goal.
Manhattan senior Tommy Lenhardt almost pulled the Jaspers to within one late in the game, but del Rio was able to shot his shot with 1:27 left in the game.
Ciano made three saves before being relieved by Alex Sylvan, who added one more save. del Rio stopped four shots for Marist.
Manhattan returns home for its final two home games this coming weekend, hosting Fairfield at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, October 13 and local and MAAC rival Iona on Sunday, October 15 at 10:00 a.m. Both games will be held at Gaelic Park, and the Jasper seniors will be honored before the Iona game.