Box Score
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RIVERDALE, N.Y. - In their final non-conference match of the season, the Manhattan College men's soccer team put together a strong showing on the road but was unable to overcome an early deficit in a 2-0 loss to Army Tuesday night in West Point, N.Y.
Playing their first of two final matches this season, the Jaspers (0-15-0) continued to show improvement in all aspects of their game but fell victim to a goal in the first minute of the game that inevitable led them to defeat on the evening.
"It was an outstanding performance in terms of effort and spirit," first-year Coach Ashley Hammond said. "An early goal against made it a tall order for the second half but overall we were good technically and are improving each game."
With their last win coming against Army on Sept. 5, 2010, Manhattan came into the contest hopeful they could put a win in the record column but a "worst-case scenario" moment to begin the match impeded any chance for the Green and White to make that belief a reality.
On the opening kickoff of the game, the Black Knights (3-12-1) took the only lead they would need 49 seconds into the game. Off a throw-in from senior Mitch Johnson, junior Jeffrey Pickett sent a ball towards newcomer T.J. Rowe, who settled the pass from outside the box and ripped a shot passed Jaspers' senior goalkeeper Joseph Lorenz for a 1-0 advantage. It was his first of the season.
Despite being outside 25-9 in shots, including 7-3 in shots on goal, Manhattan made several runs of their own and seven different players attempt at least one shot. Manhattan was led offensively by freshmen Carlo Giachino and Daniel Festa, who each recorded two shots on the evening. A new addition to the statistical column, senior Milos Vuckovic was credited with his first career shot for the Jaspers' program.
Hanging tough late in the first half, Army would all but end any chance of a comeback for Manhattan. In the 41st minute, Tanner Robertson created an opening off a corner kick and placed a ball to the open far corner of the net for a 2-0 Army lead and the eventual final score. For Tanner, the goal was his team-leading third of the season.
In net, Black Knights' sophomore keeper Michal Fiuk recorded three saves for his first shutout of the season. Splitting time for the Jaspers, Lorenz and freshman Christopher Lands logged two and three saves, respectively.
Manhattan College will return to the field on Saturday, Nov. 6 when they take on Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opponent Saint Peter's College in the final game of the season. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
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