Box Score
NEW YORK, N.Y. – After battling to a scoreless first half, and controlling much of the momentum, the Manhattan men's soccer team fell 3-0 at Columbia on Wednesday night at Columbia Soccer Stadium. It was the second straight win for the Lions (2-2-0) while the Jaspers (0-5-0) continue to search for their first win of the season.
In the first half, Columbia took the first real scoring chance when Henning Sauerbier blasted a shot on net that was saved away by Alex Coates McDowall, one of only two he would have to make in the period. From there, an aggressive Jasper offense peppered the Lions keeper with shots. In the 15th minute, Jake Scavetta put one near the net that was deflected away by a Columbia defender. Just over three minutes later, Daniel Laguna Kennedy missed wide of the net on his first try, before having another attempt stopped by goalie Kyle Jackson in the 26th.
The two squads would trade attacks over the next ten minutes before Manhattan put a flurry of attempts on net looking for the go-ahead goal. Reese Akers missed his first shot of the game high over the crossbar in the 37th minute but his team continued to find chances. In the 45th minute, Eugene Heerschap had a shot blocked over the end line, giving the Jaspers a corner kick. Akers sent the ball towards goal with time winding down in the half and Scavetta had another shot that was saved away, sending the game into the half without a score.
Manhattan began the second half much in the way the first half ended. Alex Shackley placed a header just wide of the net in the 48th minute but a foul on the Jaspers would spark a Columbia counter attack. Following a 50th minute corner kick, David Najem fed a ball threw the Jasper defense to Rhys Williams who buried it to the far post from eight yards out for the first goal of the night.
The Lions then looked for a second quick goal just over one minute later but Manhattan's backline was able to block it away. After Coates McDowall made a strong save on Najem, Columbia broke through again I the 62nd minute. Andrew Tinari split a pair of Manhattan defenders just past midfield and passed it off to Najem. He then was able to put a shot from 12 yards out on the right post that gave his team a 2-0 advantage.
Despite a frantic attempt to get on the board, the Jaspers would not get another shot off in the final 12 minutes and conceded a 90th minute goal to Antonio Matarazzo for the final score line.
Manhattan was outshot 12-11 in the contest but earned seven corners to the Lions' two. Both teams were very physical, combining for 22 total fouls, 12 to Columbia. Coates McDowall (0-5-0) made five saves in the match while Jackson (2-2-0) stopped two shots on the day.
The Jaspers return home for three of their next four contests, including two in a row, beginning on Sunday. Manhattan will welcome in St. Francis Brooklyn on Sept. 22 for an 11 a.m. match at Gaelic Park. They will then have 10 days off before hosting cross-Bronx rival Fordham on Wed., Oct. 2 at 2 p.m.
