Box Score
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RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Using an impressive three-goal first half, Siena College jumped out early and never looked back in a 4-0 win against Manhattan College Friday afternoon.
In a game played at Siena Field in Loudonville, N.Y., the Saints (6-6-1, 3-1-0) scored a trio of goals in the first 35 minutes to quiet the youthful Jaspers (0-11-0, 0-5-0) and quell any opportunity at a comeback in the fifth Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match of the year.
Siena got contributions from their entire roster, as four different players scored and seven ended the game with at least a point. Running into yet another hot opponent, Manhattan hung in but could not push the red-hot MAAC squad, who improved to 5-2-1 in their last eight matches. An outstanding 90 minutes of attacking soccer, the Saints recorded 28 shots in the match with 12 of them reaching the net.
While the score again favored the opposition, there were some bright spots for Manhattan College. Senior midfielder Jake Ostrov collected six of the teams 12 shots, one on goal, while upstart freshman Daniel Festa added three shots of his own. Senior forward Sean Russell and first-year back Jake Donowick also recorded a shot in the game.
With temperatures in the low 40's, the Saints made sure they stayed warm by running early and keeping the Green and White off-balance with their long-ball tactics. In the 25th minute, they took the only lead they would need on the day. Off a through ball to the middle, junior Joey Tavernese settled the pass and drilled it past Manhattan freshman keeper Christopher Lands for a 1-0 Siena lead. It was his fourth of the year.
Four minutes later, they'd add to the score. At the 29-minute mark, freshman James Beeston cut inside the goalie box and fired a blocked shot to the left side of the net for a 2-0 advantage and his third tally of the season.
Finishing up the offense in the first half, red-shirt senior Anthony Tagliaferri got the rebound on a deflected ball sent towards Lands and tapped it into the net for the 3-0 score. For Tagliaferri, the score was his second in 14 contests.
The Jaspers came out strong in the second half but were unable to cut the deficit against sophomore goalkeeper Phil Chabot, who recorded his first shutout of the 2010 campaign while making two saves.
On the other side, Lands made six saves for Manhattan before giving way to senior Joseph Lorenz, who made two.
Capping the scoring in the 67th minute, red-shirt sophomore Matt Turcio went one-on-one on a breakaway down the right side and finished from the top of the box for the final 4-0 score and his second overall.
Still in search of win No.1 on the season, the Jaspers head to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Sunday afternoon for a 5 p.m. showdown with Marist College.
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