Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Despite a number of opportunities throughout the 90-minute match, the Manhattan men's soccer team was blanked by Rider, 1-0, in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play at Gaelic Park on Saturday evening.
With the loss, the Jaspers fall to 1-9-1 overall and 0-5-0 in MAAC play. Rider improves to 6-5-2 and 3-3-0 against conference opponents.
The lone goal of the match came in the 32nd minute, when Broncs sophomore, Christian Flath, the top scorer in the MAAC, converted on a penalty kick. Manhattan junior side back Kristian Alexieff impeded a Rider forward just inside the top left edge of the area. After a brief hesitation, a penalty kick was awarded and Flath slotted a composed finish just inside the post, past a sprawling sophomore Alex Coates McDowall. The goal would stand and prove to the be the difference.
An outstanding performance from Broncs goalkpeeper David Pastuna held the Jaspers scoreless for the full 90 minutes.
Pastuna's biggest save came in the waning seconds of the match when Manhattan won a corner. 10 Jasper players, including goalkeeper Coates McDowall, converged on the goal as sophomore Andrew Melitsanopoulos stood over the kick. The sophomore swung the ball into the box about 10 yards out, where Coates McDowall headed the ball on target, forcing Pastuna to make a diving stop to his right and keep the ball from sneaking inside far post.
The sophomore also made a big stop in the 68th minute, when he dove to his left to keep a distance effort by senior captain Tommy Amos from beating him near side.
Over the final 45 minutes, Amos, senior Jake Scavetta, junior captain Alex Shackley and junior Abraham Bartoah had decent efforts, but could not help Manhattan find the equalizer.
The team held a 14-8 edge over Rider in shots and a 9-1 advantage in corners.
The Jaspers returns to action on Wednesday, Oct. 22, when the squad travels to Connecticut to take on Quinnipiac. The opening kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.
