Box Score
Fairfield, Conn. - The Manhattan Jaspers (3-13-1, 3-4-1 MAAC) took a four match unbeaten streak into the final weekend of the regular season looking to cement a first round bye in the playoffs. Unfortunately, the top team in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) had other plans as Fairfield defeated the Jaspers 2-0 on Friday night.
The four match unbeaten streak, including three wins, was the longest for the program since the 2001 season when they accomplished the same feat. Fairfield (8-4-1, 7-0-1 MAAC) remained at the top of the conference with the victory.
The Stags scored just 19 seconds in to the match when Jon Clements fed a ball from 25 yards out to the center of the box. There Jordan Ayris beat Manhattan goalkeeper George Ellis to put the home squad up 1-0. The defense would stand tall the remainder of the frame ensuring they would trail by one at the break.
In the second half, Clements notched two more points on the day when he curled a free kick in to the net from 25 yards out in the 64th minute. The two goals were part of 14 total shots taken by Fairfield with seven coming on net.
Ellis made a total of five saves in the match while Stags keeper Michael O'Keefe made just two saves in the shutout. The Jaspers were held to four total shots in the contest. Freshman midfielder Jake Scavetta led the offense with two shots.
Despite the loss, Manhattan still remains in the hunt for a bye in the first round of the MAAC playoffs next week in Orlando, Fla. The Jaspers are tied with Marist for 6th with 10 total points, and sit one point ahead of Saint Peter's. The Red Foxes will play host to Loyola on Sunday while the Peacocks visit Fairfield in the final match of the regular season. The Jaspers cannot tie Saint Peter's unless they fall in their final match and the Peacocks tie the Stags. If Manhattan ends up tied with Marist, they would hold the tiebreaker with a win over the Red Foxes last weekend while Saint Peter's holds the tie breaker with Manhattan.
The regular season concludes on Sun., Oct. 28 when the Jaspers travel to New Rochelle, N.Y. to face the Iona Gaels.
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