BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, N.Y. - After a 10 day hiatus from the pitch, the Manhattan men's soccer team made the short trip to St. Francis (NY) battling to 1-1 draw with the Terriers. The tie snapped a six match losing streak for the Jaspers (0-5-1) dating back to last year's Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship game.
An evenly matched affair from the first whistle, St. Francis (3-4-1) was able to strike first as Adam Maabdi beat goalkeeper George Ellis on a penalty kick in the 43rd minute to take 1-0 lead into the locker room.
After halftime, the Jaspers wasted little time finding an equalizer as sophomore forward Eugene Heerschap rocketed a ball past Tyler Clarhaut in the 50th minute to even up the score. Both teams would battle for a chance to break the deadlock but neither could capitalize on their chances sending the game to overtime.
In the first overtime period, each squad took shots looking for the golden goal. The Terriers had a free kick in the 100th minute but some solid defense by Manhattan forced a second overtime frame.
The Jaspers would control possession in the final 10 minutes, even getting a quality chance in the 107th minute, but the St. Francis defense deterred any thoughts of a victory as the teams would settle for a draw.
Ellis made seven saves in the match while St. Francis' Clarhaut deflected six shots. Both teams were very aggressive with the Terriers outshooting Manhattan 15-13 and taking six corners to the Jaspers five.
A total of five yellow cards were also issued in during the game with Tommy Amos and Alex Recinos recieving warnings.
Manhattan continues on their nine game stretch away from home on Sunday when they go to Smithfield, R.I. for a 1 p.m. match against the Bryant Bulldogs.
