Box Score
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - Completing their longest road trip of the season, the Manhattan men's lacrosse team struggled offensively as they fell 13-6 to the Binghamton Bearcats. It is the fourth straight loss for the Jaspers (1-6) who have spent the last two weeks on the road.
An intense Binghamton offense came out firing in the first quarter, outshooting the Jaspers 16-6.The scoring began just a little over two minutes into the contest when Matt Springer registered a goal off a feed from Tucker Nelson. Both defenses would slow down the pace of the game as neither squad found the back of the net for almost ten full minutes. Then, with 4:37 remaining in the first period, the combination of Springer and Nelson earned another goal to go up 2-0. The Bearcats (3-3) would go on to score three more goals in the frame, while holding the Jaspers scoreless in the first 15 minutes.
Patrick Hodapp would break the scoring drought for Manhattan with 9:31 to play in the second, pulling his squad within four at 5-1. A low scoring second quarter saw just one more tally be registered, but by Springer who had a game high five goals. Trailing 6-1 at halftime, the Jaspers looked to turn things around in the second half as they peppered the cage with shots. Unfortunately, little of it would amount in the way of goals.
Binghamton's defense continued to stymie Manhattan while the offense upped the advantage to seven off goals from Brandon Planck and Michael Antinozzi. At that point, veteran leaders took over for the Jaspers. Brett Madarasz was able to find classmate Brian McGrath for a goal at the 4:26 mark of the third quarter. McGrath would return the favor a mere eight seconds later as Madarasz registered his first goal of the season. After three scoreless minutes of play, Planck stopped the momentum for the Jaspers with his third goal of the game. McGrath countered though with his second tally just 17 seconds later to make it 9-4 heading into the fourth.
The Bearcats quickly reeled off three goals in the first three minutes of the frame to put the game out of reach, leading 12-4 with 13:21 to play. Madarasz tried to get the Jaspers back on track, scoring two of the final three goals in the game, including an unassisted tally with just 1:02 remaining.
Madarasz led the way for Manhattan with four points, including three goals. The Jaspers played a strong defensive effort, forcing 20 turnovers while only committing 10 of their own. They were also perfect on their clear attempts (12-12) while limiting the Bearcats to 14 of 18 and 0-4 on the extra-man opportunity.
Binghamton was strong on loose ball chances, corralling 35 ground balls to Manhattan's 24 and winning 16 of 23 face-offs. Goalie play was also key as Max Schefler played 56 minutes making 14 saves in the win for the Bearcats while Michael Wiatrak made nine saves in net for the Jaspers.
Manhattan finally returns home for the first time in almost three weeks as the Jaspers host Mercer on Wed., March 20 for a 12 p.m. tilt at Gaelic Park.
