New Haven, Conn. (April 15, 2007)?Yale University raced out to a 6-0 lead before the game was 13 minutes old en route to an 18-5 win over Manhattan Men's Lacrosse on a soggy Sunday afternoon at Reese Stadium. The game, which was originally scheduled for March 6 and played on Sunday through a torrential downpour, marked the Jaspers' first ever meeting with an Ivy League member.
After helping Manhattan to a key conference victory yesterday afternoon over Mt. St. Mary's University, the Jasper offense sputtered on Sunday in what was Manhattan's first, and only, set of back-to back games of the season.
The Jaspers finally got on the scoreboard when senior Jeremy Marrano converted off a pass from rookie defenseman Kyle Ochwat with six seconds remaining in the opening quarter to make the score 6-1.
Senior Brian Murray, who finished the day with a hat trick, brought Manhattan within 6-2 when he scored 2:37 into the second period. Senior co-captain Chris Oppito picked up the assist on the play.
The Bulldogs responded with three straight tallies, compliments of Tyler Casertano, Matt Fuchs, and Kyle Washabaugh, before Murray found the back of the net for a second time to cut the Yale advantage to 9-3 with 3:26 remaining in the first half. Yale's Jonathan Koenig scored 1:13 later to send the Bulldogs into the break with a 10-3 lead.
Freshman goalie Mike Reynolds came on to spell sophomore starter John Geagan to begin the second half. Geagan, who made 15 saves to secure yesterday's win, made eight first-half saves against the Bulldogs.
Only 20 seconds after Yale's James Ryan opening the second half scoring at the 11:00 mark, Murray completed the hat trick to cut the Bulldog advantage to 11-4.
Shortly after Murray completed the feat, Yale's Brandon Gibson responded by completing his own hat trick to extend the Bulldogs' lead to eight with 8:29 remaining in the third quarter.
Murray, who has been named MAAC Offensive Player of the Week on three occasions thus far this spring, now has a team leading 23 goals and 15 assists. Marrano is second on the team in scoring with 13 goals and five assists.
With the non-conference portion of its schedule now complete, Manhattan, who is now 5-6 overall, will put its 2-2 MAAC record on the line against Wagner College on Wednesday, April 18 in Staten Island, N.Y.
