Box Score
LEXINGTON, Va. – Only trailing by two at the half, the Manhattan men's lacrosse team could only muster one goal in the second frame as they fell, 10-6 to Virginia Military Institute (VMI) on Saturday afternoon. It was the third straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) loss for the Jaspers (3-11, 0-5 MAAC) and the final road contest of the 2013 season.
Statistically, Manhattan controlled a good portion of the game outshooting the Keydets 42-26 and picking up 36 ground balls to their 29, but it was strong defense for VMI (1-11, 1-4 MAAC) that led to the win.
Things started in the first quarter when Bernie Mowbray put the Keydets on the board first. He was followed almost four minutes later as Russell East buried the first of his two goals on a man-up opportunity. Ryan Payton got the scoring started for the Jaspers with an unassisted tally at the 6:48 mark of the first quarter, cutting the deficit to 2-1. VMI answered quickly as Mike DeBlasio scored the first of his game-high four goals before Brett Madarasz made it a one goal game heading into the second quarter.
About three minutes into the period, Anthony Mordaga made it 4-2 Keydets as he finished a Gage Snowbarger pass. Patrick Hodapp then scored his first goal of the contest for Manhattan, keeping the team within striking distance. However, VMI reeled off three consecutive goals, including two from DeBlasio, in a matter of three minutes to go ahead 7-3. The Jaspers attempted to creep closer as Tyler Eidel and Hodapp each found the back of the net to cut the deficit to two heading into halftime.
The second half saw the Keydets outscore Manhattan 3-1, as VMI held the Jaspers off the board in the third quarter. Manhattan's lone goal in the half came from Tyler Jarvis with 6:36 remaining in regulation. It would be too little, too late for the squad as they could not mount a late comeback.
Despite being outshot in the game, VMI was able to hold possession winning 11 of 19 face-offs and scoring on both of their extra-man opportunities. Manhattan was unable to capitalize on the 24 turnovers they faced and were 0-5 on EMO's. The Keydet's Matt Lindemann made 18 saves in the win while Rich Akapnitis stopped 11 shots for the Jaspers.
Manhattan concludes its 2013 season on Sat., April 27 when they host Marist at 5 p.m. at Gaelic Park. It will be the final game in the careers of nine seniors. Jarvis along with Paul Moreau, Jon Crean, Evan Potter, Justin Cornetto, Alex Grandal, Brian McGrath, and Jeff Mohr.
