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Riverdale, NY - Niels Kirch (Zülpich, Germany / Virginia Tech) celebrated Senior Night in style, delivering the lone goal of the match in leading Manhattan to a thrilling 1-0 win over Iona while knocking the visitors out of contention for the MAAC Tournament in the process.
The Jaspers finish the season with a 2-12-3 record, including a 2-6-2 mark during MAAC play, which included a 1-1 draw with reigning MAAC Champion Rider, while the Gaels end their year at 5-13 and 4-6 in the league.
Kirch provided the lone goal of the night in the 48th minute when he intercepted an errant pass to the Iona goalie before deaking out Iona goalie Julian Petrello and finishing into an empty net to provide what would prove to be game-winning score.
The Gaels appeared primed to tie the match in the 51st minute when Daniel Huertas had just the goalie to beat and fired a shot the graduate student Deljan Bregasi (Boglidsco (Genoa), Italy / St. Thomas University) handled with aplomb.
Iona continued to fight and would tally five more shots, but thanks to a strong Manhattan defensive effort none of them were on goal as the Jaspers staved off a ferocious Gael rally.
Bregasi earned his first victory in net for Manhattan, earning the shutout with two saves.
Kirch, meanwhile, notched his second goal and finished the year tied for the team lead with five points.
