Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Lady Jaspers' junior forward Kristin Spiros scored her first goal of the year in the 54th minute helping the Manhattan women's soccer team to a 1-1 double-overtime tie with Canisius (8-1-2, 2-1-1 MAAC) on Sunday in Riverdale. Manhattan freshman goalkeeper Kara Davis reset a career-high with 10 saves in the complete game effort.
"This was one of our best performances all year," explained Manhattan Head Coach Sean Driscoll. "We did not get the result that we wanted, but it is certainly a step in the right direction. I thought we possessed the ball well today."
Manhattan (4-7-1, 0-3-1 MAAC) fell behind in the first half when Golden Griffs senior forward Sylvia Kowalski notched her league leading 11th goal of the season to take a 1-0 advantage. It was in the 31st minute when Kowalski settled a feed from Brooke Bandazian, and placed a shot in the top left corner, just inside the post.
The Lady Jaspers responded in 54th minute when Spiros sent a header into the back of the net. Senior co-captain Courtney McMahon set up the score when she launched a service with her left foot into the middle of the box. Spiros lined up the feed, and her deflected header trickled into the left side of the goal.
Manhattan battled and defended well through the remainder of regulation to force overtime for the second straight match. The Lady Jaspers starting backs, Kara Bucci, Jill Beauchamp, Amanda Fischer and Devon Lutz anchored the superb defensive effort.
Manhattan's best scoring opportunity in extra time came with 6:40 left in the first OT when Alexandra Konneker broke free on the right side, and served a pass in the box to Caroline Morse who was charging the goal. Morse got a foot on the feed, but blasted her shot wide left.
Canisius goalkeeper Daniella Pettinari also added the tie to her record moving to 2-0-1 on the season. She made six saves over 110 minutes of work.
Manhattan returns to Gaelic Park on Friday night for a match with local MAAC rival Iona. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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