Marist Knocks Off Manhattan, 16-9

RIVERDALE, NY – The Manhattan College women's lacrosse team concluded its two-game homestand with a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) contest against Marist on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon at Gaelic Park.  The Jaspers (3-8, 0-3 MAAC) were unable to come away with a victory, though, as the Red Foxes (5-6, 1-1 MAAC) earned a 16-9 triumph.

After Marist scored the first two goals of the game, the Jaspers tied it on tallies by Molly Fitzpatrick (Yorktown, NY) and Jordyn DiCostanzo (Eastchester, NY).  The teams then traded goals before DiCostanzo connected with Caitlin Murphy (Carmel, NY), who found the back of the net to put Manhattan up 5-4 at the 12:55 mark of the first half.  However, Marist ended the half on a 3-0 rally to take a 7-5 lead into the locker room.

Marist extended its cushion to 12-5 early in the second half before DiCostanzo and Fitzpatrick scored just over a minute apart to pull Manhattan within 12-7.  After four straight goals by the Red Foxes made it 16-7, Emily Sandford (Floral Park, NY) and Kara Hodapp (Oak Ridge, NJ) both scored within the final two minutes of the contest, cutting the final margin to 16-9.

Fitzpatrick had two goals and two assists for the Jaspers.  DiCostanzo registered two goals and an assist, while Hodapp contributed two goals of her own.  Murphy and Molly Flores (Chevy Chase, MD) each controlled five draws, and Katie Tucker (Gorham, ME) picked up a team-high four ground balls.  As a team, Manhattan held a 25-17 advantage in ground balls.  Nikki Prestiano (Yorktown Heights, NY) (3-8) made eight saves before being relieved by Caitie Pluta (Sykesville, MD), who stopped a pair of Marist shots.

For the Red Foxes, Olivia Pitonzo recorded five goals, six assists and four draw controls.  Natalie Bonaroti added four goals, while Stefanie Wenz collected three ground balls.  In addition to notching three ground balls, goalkeeper Abigail Witczak (5-6) posted 16 saves.