The Jaspers have now won five straight, tied for the longest winning streak in program history, and are off to their best start since 2008 at 5-1. The Pioneers stumble to 0-4.
Senior tri-captain Molly Fitzpatrick (Yorktown, NY / Lakeland) notched three goals, one assist and six ground balls, while junior midfielder Emily Sandford (Floral Park, NY / Sacred Heart) and freshman attacker Cassidy Burns (Massapequa, NY / Plainedge) each recorded two scores and two assists. Freshman attacker Grace Lipponer (Lake Grove, NY / Sachem North) added a hat trick.
In net, senior tri-captain Nikki Prestiano (Yorktown Heights, NY / Yorktown) and junior goalkeeper Caitie Pluta (Sykesville, MD / Century) combined to make seven saves while the Jasper defense limited Sacred Heart to a mere 14 shots.
Manhattan aims to make it six wins in a row on Tuesday, March 12, hosting Drexel at 4:00 pm in the team's non-conference home finale.
INSIDE THE NUMBERSFollowing today's win, senior captain Molly Fitzpatrick discussed the team's hot start and the team's confidence during the five-game win streak! #JasperNation pic.twitter.com/lJAB24C6EK
— Manhattan WLacrosse (@ManhattanWLax) March 9, 2019
- Manhattan has whittled its team goals-against average down to six goals per game. During its streak, the team has allowed a mere 26 goals.
- In the second half, Prestiano surpassed 3,000 career minutes in net. She reaches the milestone in 53 career games.
- Fitzpatrick moves within one assist of third place and three goals of sixth place on each respective all-time list.
- The 13 goals are a season-high for Manhattan and the first time it's reached double figures in scoring.
- Burns has collected multi-points outputs in three consecutive affairs, recording 14 points in that span.
- Lipponer tallied her second career hat trick.
- Seven different Jaspers found the back of the net.
- Manhattan's nine assists are the most for a MAAC team so far this season.
- In a dominating first half, the Kelly Green and White outpaced Sacred Heart in shots (23-3), ground balls (14-6), draw controls (9-2) and clears (7-5), while converting two free position goals and two woman-up goals
- Manhattan's 11 draw controls in the game are a season-high.
- Five Jaspers made their season debuts.
FIRST HALFHead Coach Katie McConnell also praises the team's growth this season as well as their energy and support for one another. #JasperNation pic.twitter.com/oYDoqOVWBy
— Manhattan WLacrosse (@ManhattanWLax) March 10, 2019
- Junior midfielder Deb Peifer (Collegeville, PA / Methacton) ignited the scoring, drawing a foul from Olivia Mittleman and scoring on the free position for her second of the year.
- With just 5:15 down, Lipponer got a low pass from freshman midfielder Annie Freshour (Smithtown, NY / Smithtown East), swung her stick to the right and threaded the twine from five meters away.
- Prestiano went to her lower-right to make a stop on Sacred Heart's Lydia Werlau.
- With 17:09 left, Burns connected with sophomore attacker Alaine Burgess (Holden, MA / The Governor's Academy) cutting down the left slot. Burgess buried it to make it 3-0.
- Fifty-three seconds later, Fitzpatrick stood at the top of the eight-meter arc, tossing it to Lipponer. The rookie made a swim dodge through two Pioneers and potted the goal.
- At the 13:25 mark, Fitzpatrick scored a woman-up, free position goal from the left, sneaking it in off the right post.
- Fitzpatrick fought skated past multiple defenders to make it 6-0 with 9:52 on the clock.
- With 7:40 left, Burns raced from the right side and got the angle to score.
- At a similar spot, Burns passed it to sophomore midfielder Carmella Liscio (Blauvelt, NY / Tappan Zee), who was wide open down the middle for the goal at 5:51.
- Sandford found Burns for the final Jasper goal of the half at 4:47.
SECOND HALF
- Just 1:55 out of the break, Sanford netted her first score of the game by spinning in front while catching a toss from senior midfielder Caitlin Murphy (Carmel, NY / Carmel) for an 11-1 advantage.
- The junior then assisted on Fitzpatrick's final goal of the day 2:03 later.
- Murphy and Sandford connected once again for the Jaspers' final goal of the game, coming with 13:06 to go in regulation.
- Pluta notched her first save of the season at the 9:25 mark when she pocketed Werlau's shot. She made three saves in relief.