Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? Manhattan forward Thomas Bandov evened the game at 1-1 in the 30th minute with his third goal of the season, but Long Island (3-4-0) rallied for two extra goals to secure the victory in men's soccer action this evening in Brooklyn. Mohammad Mashriqi posted the Blackbirds' game winning goal in the 41st minute, while Jukka Lehto tallied the final score at the 85:17 mark to propel the squad past Manhattan (1-6).
In the 24th minute, Long Island junior Frank Alesci was dragged down in the box, resulting in a penalty kick for teammate Peter Huijgen. Huijgen capitalized on the opportunity, placing the kick into the right side of the net to give the Blackbirds a one goal edge.
The Jaspers responded less than seven minutes later when Bandov found the back of the net thanks in part to the nice setup by Nicholas Patrikis and Kyle Lauchmen.
Just before intermission, Mashiriqi connected on what proved to be the game winning goal which resulted from a combination of passes from Rommel Forde and Nick Alderiso. Long Island took a 2-1 advantage into the break.
In the 86th minute, with the Jaspers pressing numbers into the offensive zone to look for the tying tally, Lehto gave the Blackbirds a cushion, and put the game out of reach when he got past the Jaspers' defense and tallied an unassisted goal.
Manhattan goalkeeper Randall Brobson made six saves while patrolling the pipes for all 90 minutes. Adam Janssen saved two shots for Long Island and earned the win in net.
Manhattan looks to snap its four game losing streak on Saturday when the squad returns home for a non-conference match with Howard University. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Gaelic Park.
