Riverdale, N.Y. (October 26, 2007)- In a defensive battle played in driving rain, Fairfield took advantage of a misplayed ball by the Manhattan defense to score the game's only goal in a 1-0 MAAC win tonight Gaelic Park. The Lady Jaspers (6-6-4, 3-3-1 MAAC) drop into fifth place in the MAAC standings with two games to play.
Neither team generated quality offensive chances as the rain made the field surface slick. Manhattan keeper Alicia DeFino made two first half saves, but was not seriously challenged on either one. The Fairfield defense held the Lady Jaspers without a shot in the opening stanza.
In the 57th minute, the Stags were able to crack the scoreboard. On a ball on the right edge of the 18-yard box, DeFino came off her line to play the ball, but Fairfield's Nicole Cavallaro was able to win the challenge, and lofted a cross towards the center of the box. A Manhattan defender attempted a clear, but the slick ball caromed off her foot and towards the empty net. DeFino was able to scramble back to prevent the ball from crossing the goal line, but the slick surface did not allow her to safely secure the ball, and Jenna Breitenwischer poked the ball home from point blank range.
Manhattan turned up the offensive pressure to attempt to score the equalizer, but did not find the back of net, despite four corner kicks and four shots, with two being on frame.
"I thought we battled well," noted head coach Sean Driscoll. "We tried to take away some of their strengths, but they did a great job of keeping possession under poor conditions."
"We weren't able to put enough chances on net," continued Driscoll. "It was the type of game that would come down to which team could capitalize on a mistake, and that is exactly what happened."
Manhattan continues MAAC play on Sunday, October 28, hosting local rival Iona College at Gaelic Park in the Lady Jaspers' home finale. Game time is slated for 10:00 a.m. The six Manhattan seniors will be honored prior to the game.
