Box Score
PRINCETON, N.J. - After scoring the initial goal to take a 1-0 lead over the #7 team in the country, Manhattan's offense struggled in a 15-2 loss at Princeton. It was the third straight loss for the Jaspers (1-5) who played their third road contest in 10 days.
Transfer Patrick Hodapp had Manhattan thinking upset early when he buried a Brian McGrath feed six minutes into the first quarter. The defense helped to keep that though alive as they allowed only two Princeton goals in the first period. Jake Froccaro tied the contest with a goal at the 1:27 mark of the frame, before his brother, Jeff, scored a man-up goal less than a minute later.
The second half, however, belonged to the Tigers (4-1) as their aggressive offense peppered the net. Six goals would be scored in the period by Princeton beginning with Ryan Ambler who scored with 13:30 to play until the half. Three more would follow in the next two minutes, giving the Tigers a 6-1 advantage with 11:32 remaining in the second quarter. Manhattan struggled to get shots off, being outshot 16-6 in the period while turning the ball over four times in that same time frame.
Ambler tallied another goal, scoring on the extra-man opportunity before Jeff Froccaro found the net with one second to play in the half, giving Princeton an 8-1 lead. It was mores of the same out of the locker room as the Jaspers were unable to score in the third period, falling behind 14-1 after three.
Ryan Payton finally snapped the drought, converting a Brett Madarasz assist into just the second Manhattan goal of the game with 11:02 remaining in the fourth. Princeton added one more goal late for the final margin, outshooting the Jaspers 54-21 throughout the game.
The Jaspers had trouble keeping possession during the game, winning just six of 19 face-offs and converting only 10 of 15 clear attempts. Princeton also corralled 53 ground balls to Manhattan's 34, and scored on three extra-man chances.
Sophomore Michael Wiatrak made 12 saves in 42 minutes before Rich Akapnitis played the final 18 minutes allowing four goals and making two saves. Meanwhile, the Tigers used three goalies with Matt O'Connor getting the victory stopping eight shots in almost 43 minutes of play. Ambler led the way offensively with five points, including three goals for Princeton.
Manhattan concludes their longest road trip of the season when they travel to Binghamton, N.Y. on Sun., March 17, to take on the Bearcats.
