Box Score
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. - Coming off a confidence boosting win over Army on Tuesday, the Manhattan men's soccer team hoped to carry that momentum back into conference play. Freshman Alex Shackley and senior George Ellis led the Jaspers to an impressive 2-0 victory over Rider in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action on Friday night.
The first half of the match quickly took on an aggressive feel as the Jaspers (3-11-1, 2-4 MAAC) were called offside just two minutes into the contest. From there, Rider would go on the offensive launching five shots within a span of four minutes. Ellis would make saves on three of them while watching the other two go well off the mark.
Despite being outshot 10-7, Manhattan took the greatest advantage of their opportunities and was able to jump out to a lead when Shackley finished a low cross from Tommy Amos in the 35th minute. The goal was Shackley's second of his rookie campaign while Amos picked up his second assist of the season. Manhattan's defense would hold strong, keeping the team ahead 1-0 going into halftime.
Coming out of the locker room, the Broncs (3-12-1) go two quick chances for an equalizer but Brandon Sebastian missed a shot wide before Ellis made another save on a Dan Friga attempt. Ellis would be called on four more times in the second half, including twice in a span of 35 seconds, to preserve the lead.
His offense however would make the job a bit easier. In the 73rd minute, Kevan Lewis had two consecutive shots blocked by the Rider defense before Naru Park then hit one off the crossbar followed by another Lewis attempt that hit the post denying Manhattan a second goal.
The Jaspers would however get that second strike in the 79th minute when Shackley fed Park inside the box who beat Rider keeper Matt Perrella, giving his team a 2-0 lead. The Broncs would only muster one more shot in the final 10 minutes, with Ellis making another save.
Perrella finished the match making four saves while Ellis made 10 stops. Rider outshot the Jaspers 20-15 in the contest and also led in corner kicks 5-3. Two yellow cards were issued as well when the Broncs' Brenden Noesges and Manhattan's Eugene Heerschap each received warnings.
Manhattan returns to action on Sun. Oct., 28 when they travel to MAAC rival Loyola for a 1 p.m. tilt.
