Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - On a picture perfect Saturday afternoon, the Manhattan College men's lacrosse team put together what was easily its best performance of the season. The Jaspers (4-4, 2-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) scored the first three goals of the contest and never looked back, cruising to a 15-6 victory over VMI (2-8, 0-3 MAAC) at Gaelic Park. James Synowiez (Owego, N.Y.) and Sal Perrotto (Garnerville, N.Y.) both recorded six points in the game.
Manhattan led 3-0 midway through the first quarter and held a 4-1 edge after one. The Keydets got two goals early in the second quarter to pull within 4-3, but the Jaspers scored the next eight to break the game open. Perrotto got the rally started with a man-down goal at the 10:54 mark, and Kelly Mahon (Spring Lake, N.J.) followed with a man-up tally 32 seconds later. After a goal by Brett Miranda (Ossining, N.Y.) and a pair by Synowiez, the Jaspers led 9-3 at halftime.
The Jaspers continued pouring it on in the third quarter, as Perrotto connected with Salvatore Spatarella (Rocky Point, N.Y.) for a man-up tally 46 seconds into the second half. After goals by Justin Jensen (Bay Shore, N.Y.) and Jason Davis (Rocky River, Ohio) ran Manhattan's lead to 12-3, VMI responded with three straight to get back within six at 12-6.
Synowiez notched his fourth goal of the contest midway through the fourth quarter, then the Jaspers wrapped up the scoring with a pair of late goals seven seconds apart. Mahon took a feed from Synowiez and scored the Jaspers' fifth man-up goal of the game with 2:17 remaining, then, after Manhattan won the faceoff, Mahon connected Sean Firth (Glen Rock, N.J.) at the 2:10 mark.
Synowiez finished with four goals and two assists, while Perrotto had two goals and four assists. Mahon also had a four point day, recording one assist to go along with a hat trick. Jensen registered a goal and an assist. The Jaspers really took advantage of their man-up opportunities, going 5-for-7 with the man advantage. Manhattan also scored a man-down goal. The Jaspers held a 43-35 edge in ground balls, with Kyle Moeller (South Setauket, N.Y.) collecting a team-high six ground balls to go along with three caused turnovers. Kyle Ochwat (Farmingdale, N.Y.) added five ground balls. Jon Fiorillo (Painted Post, N.Y.) (4-2) allowed six goals and made 16 saves. He also tallied four ground balls.
Six different Keydets scored a goal, while Tim Moran also had two assists to complete a three-point afternoon. Brett Leonard and Jacob Weimer each recorded a goal and an assist for VMI. Stephen Robarge corralled a game-high eight ground balls for the Keydets. Sean McCoy (0-4) got the start in net and took the loss. He made seven saves and surrendered 12 goals in 37:05 of action. Kelly McMinn recorded seven saves and gave up three goals in 22:55 between the pipes.
The Jaspers return to non-conference action on Tuesday night, when they make the short trip to No. 8 Hofstra (5-2) for a 7 p.m. showdown. The Pride will be the third Top 10 opponent Manhattan has faced this season. The game will also be broadcast on Verizon FiOS1 TV.
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