Riverdale, N.Y. (September 19, 2006)-
Katie Kuntz scored two first half goals as the Lady Jaspers rallied to beat Wagner College, giving Manhattan its most wins since 2001.
On a soggy, humid afternoon at Gaelic Park, the Lady Jaspers dominated throughout the contest, out shooting the Seahawks 27-6. In the process, Manhattan picked up win number seven on the season, after having their six game winning streak snapped last Sunday by LaSalle.
Though Wagner came into the game winless, they were able to jump out in front in the 17th minute on Danielle Sheehan's second goal of the season. On a breakaway, Sheehan flicked the ball over charging goalkeeper
Alicia DeFino's head. Though the scoreboard read Manhattan was trailing, the Lady Jaspers were in control the entire game, seeing several good scoring opportunities from crosses and corner kicks.
In the 42nd minute, senior co-captain
Katie Kuntz provided the equalizer with her team leading sixth goal of the season. Freshman
Amanda Fischer got the play started, passing to fellow freshman
Courtney McMahon. With a defender hounding her, McMahon unleashed a cross from the left hand corner that hit the ground in space. Kuntz capitalized, firing home a shot that beat Wagner's keeper.
In the 44th minute, Kuntz struck again, this time off a corner kick. Fischer played a beautiful ball from the right side that Kuntz knocked home, giving the senior her first multi-goal game of the season. The assist was Fischer's second of the game and eighth of the season.
In the second half, Manhattan kept up the pace, seeing several more scoring chances that went unconverted. In the 79th minute however, Wagner gave the Lady Jaspers a scare, nearly tying the score. Sheehan again had a breakaway, but DeFino buckled down and came up with the huge save.
The Lady Jaspers have now defeated the Seahawks two years in a row, picking up a 1-0 victory last season at Wagner.
Next up for the Lady Jaspers is a Bronx tangle with rivals Fordham University. That game will take place Friday night at 7:00 p.m. on the campus of the Rams.
