Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Playing in their first home game of the 2013 season, the Manhattan men's soccer team dropped a 2-0 decision to LIU Brooklyn on Friday night at Gaelic Park. Despite the loss, the Jaspers (0-4-0) dominated the stat sheet with 20 shots and 20 corner kicks.
After controlling possession from the opening minute, a costly turnover gave the Blackbirds an early lead. After Nahuel Medina was able to gain possession from the Jasper back line, he streaked down the left side before sending the ball across the face of goal. Nathan Stewart was able to come down the middle and deflect it into the lower right corner for the first score of the night.
From there, Manhattan again controlled the tempo and continued to pressure the LIU Brooklyn (1-3-1) defense. They peppered the goal with shots, taking nine in the first frame. The Jaspers also had five corners in the half but were unable to convert on any of the set pieces, sending the game into halftime with a 1-0 score.
After the break, play got much more physical between the two squads. With each team committing multiple fouls Manhattan continued to search for an equalizer. LIU Brooklyn's Keaton Sprague picked up the first of what would be four yellow cards for the Blackbirds after a hard tackle in the 48th minute.
In a span of three minutes the Jaspers had three chances at tying things up. After Tommy Amos had a shot blocked in front, Daniel Laguna Kennedy put a blast on net that was saved by John Connolly but out of bounds giving Manhattan a corner kick. Off the set piece, Laguna Kennedy missed another shot above the cross bar.
Continuing to put pressure on, the Jaspers had three corners in a span of 2:21 with two resulting in shots. Jake Scavetta would get the first good look knocking a header just wide of the net in the 68th minute before Andrew Melitsanopoulos had a drive blocked by a Blackbirds defender less than a minute later.
A counter attack, coupled with a foul in the box, led LIU Brooklyn's second goal of the evening. As Stewart came into the left side of the penalty area, both Brandon Alvarado and Daniel Festa combined on a hard tackle but were whistled resulting in a penalty kick. Tanner Sica was able to convert on the PK, beating Alex Coates McDowall to the right side in the 75th minute.
Manhattan would have just three more shots over the final 15 minutes including a Dominic Chavez strike that rifled off the crossbar and another Amos shot that was saved. In total, Connolly (1-3-1) made six saves for his second shutout of the year. Coates McDowall (0-4-0) stopped just two shots of the four that were on net in the loss. Laguna Kennedy led all players with six shots, including two on goal.
The Jaspers are back in action when they travel to Columbia University on Wed., Sept. 18 for a 7 p.m. tilt with the Lions.
