Box Score
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Manhattan men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Monmouth in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play at Hesse Field on Wednesday night. With the loss, the Jaspers move to 1-6-1 on the fall, including an 0-2-0 mark in conference play. Monmouth continues its impressive run of form, improving to 6-2-2 overall and 2-0-1 against MAAC opponents.
Sophomore midfielder Brandon McCarthy netted the lone goal of the game for the Hawks in the 13th minute. McCarthy received a pass near the top corner of the 18-yard box, spun and blasted a shot under the bar to provide Monmouth with a 1-0 advantage. Fellow sophomore Miguel Alves was credited with an assist on the play.
The Jaspers had a few chances in the first half, but had a number of opportunities to answer early in the second frame.
Manhattan forced Monmouth to play some very stout defense in the opening 12 minutes of the second half. In the 50th minute, senior forward Eugene Heerschap's attempt at goal was saved by sophomore goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky. The ball went out of play for a Manhattan corner, which junior midfielder Kristian Alexieff took. Alexieff swung a ball into the box that junior midfielder and captain Alex Shackley headed toward goal. Klenofsky again came up with a save to deny Manhattan.
The Jaspers earned another corner less than a minute later, which Shackely curled into the box. The danger was cleared by the Monmouth defense, but Manhattan managed to win another corner. Alexieff took the kick, but the Jaspers were whistled for a foul.
The next five and a half minutes saw two more chances for the Jaspers to tie the game, but senior Jake Scavetta fired wide, and Heerschap's chance was blocked.
Manhattan's final chance to level came in the 89th minute, when junior center back Abraham Bartoah shot high.
The Jaspers had a couple of opportunities in the latter stages of the opening 45 to knot the score at one, but could not find the equalizer. Sophomore striker Daniel Laguna Kennedy had a chance in the 39th minute, but saw his effort saved by Klenofsky. Just under two minutes later, Alexieff saw his effort sail wide of goal. Manhattan would not get another chance in the first half.
Manhattan will next play on Saturday, Oct. 11, when the squad returns home to the friendly confines of Gaelic Park to host its first MAAC contest of the fall against Siena (7-5-0, MAAC 2-1-0). The opening kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
