Box Score
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. ? Thanks to a pair of junior transfers, the Manhattan College men's lacrosse team (1-2) picked up its first win of the 2009 season on Saturday afternoon, defeating Detroit (0-3) 14-9 at Joe Walton Stadium on the campus of Robert Morris University. Joe Variano (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.), who transferred to Manhattan from Drexel University, had eight points in the game (two goals, six assists), while James Synowiez (Owego, N.Y.), who joined the Jaspers this season after two years at Onondaga Community College, tallied four goals and added two assists.
The Jaspers jumped ahead quickly on the Division I newcomers, who are in their first year as a Division I program. Kelly Mahon (Spring Lake, N.J.) scored just 1:16 into the game, and Manhattan tallied the first four goals of the contest before Detroit got a goal from Jeff Julius to take it 4-1 at the end of the first quarter. Variano assisted on Manhattan's first three goals.
The Titans stormed back after Julius's tally, outshooting the Jaspers 15-3 in the second quarter. Detroit scored three unanswered goals to tie the score at 4-4 with 5:54 left in the half. After Detroit's Scott Harris was sent off for an illegal body check, Variano fed Synowiez for a tally that gave Manhattan back the lead. Synowiez completed a hat trick with 17 seconds left in the half to put the Jaspers in front 6-4 at halftime.
After Detroit scored in the first minute of the third quarter to again make it a one-goal game, the Jaspers responded with six straight tallies from six different players to open up a 12-5 advantage. Manhattan outshot Detroit 23-6 in the third quarter. Detroit scored twice in the final minute of the quarter to pull within 12-7, then added two more goals early in the fourth to make it 12-9. That's as close as the Titans would get, however, as Variano registered a pair of late goals to cap Manhattan's first win of the year, 14-9.
Eight Jaspers scored in the game and five had multi-point afternoons. Justin Jensen (Bay Shore, N.Y.) had a hat trick, while Mike Brooks (Timunium, Md.) recorded two assists. Mike Llewellyn (Brookhaven, N.Y.) posted a goal and an assist. Chris LoGiudice (Patchogue, N.Y.), Sal Perrotto (Garnerville, N.Y.) and Salvatore Spatarella (Rocky Point, N.Y.) had the other Manhattan goals in the game.
The Jaspers collected 27 ground balls, led by Angelo Marrano's (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) seven. Kyle Moeller (South Setauket, N.Y.) gathered six ground balls and Kyle Ochwat (Farmingdale, N.Y.) added five. With the Jaspers playing their second game in as many days, freshman Troy Orzech (Franktown, Colo.) made his first career start in goal and made 15 saves to earn the victory.
Pat O'Shea, Matt Gregson and John Nowicki all had two goals for the Titans. O'Shea added two assists for a team-high four points. Gregson and Brad Janer led Detroit with four ground balls apiece. In goal, Vince Diana made 13 saves and took the loss.
The Jaspers are back in action next Sunday, March 8, when they visit perennial power Princeton (2-0) at 1 p.m. The contest will be the first against the Tigers in program history.
