Manhattan University Athletics

Niagara Falls, NY - Manhattan senior Molly Fitzpatrick (Yorktown, NY / Lakeland) lifted the Jaspers over Niagara Saturday with a double-overtime goal that gave Manhattan a 7-6 win to close out the regular season. The Jaspers finish MAAC play at 6-2 in the league (and 11-5 overall) for a three-way tie for second place in the conference standings. 

Fitzpatrick's winning goal was her third of the game, while Caitlin Murphy (Carmel, NY / Carmel) added two of her own against the Purple Eagles. Goalkeeper Nikki Prestiano (Yorktown Heights, NY / Yorktown) collected 17 saves on 23 shots on goal for the outing. 

Niagara (5-12, 2-6 MAAC) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on their home turf, benefiting from two goals by Caroline Crump before the 26-minute mark. Manhattan got on the board nearly five minutes later with a goal by Grace Lipponer (Lake Grove, NY / Sachem North) from the circle. It was Lipponer's 43rd of the season. 

Manhattan tied the game at 17:30 after Carmella Liscio forced a Niagara turnover on the clear attempt to send the Jaspers back on offense. Fitzpatrick scored on another shot from the circle, assisted by teammate Talia Price (Kinnelon, NJ / Kinnelon). Thirty-seconds later, the Jaspers took the lead when Murphy scored on a free position to make it 3-2. After Niagara tied the match just under the 14-minute mark, both teams remained scoreless for the remainder of the first half.

The Jaspers struck first just five minutes into the second half, when Alaina Burgess (Holden, MA / The Governor's Academy) earned her 23rd goal of the season to make it 4-3. The Purple Eagles evened the score 10 minutes later, but the Jaspers would nab two goals in two minutes—first from Fitzpatrick and then from Murphy—to take a 6-4 lead with just 10 minutes to play. 

A foul from Price gave Niagara a free position opportunity with 2:39 to go, and the Purple Eagles were able to convert to get within one of Manhattan. The Jaspers held Niagara at bay until a Jasper turnover under the minute mark gave Niagara the chance for a final shot. With six seconds left, the Purple Eagles' Rachel MacCheyne launched a shot from the circle that sent the game into extra time. 

The Jaspers picked up two ground balls and committed just one turnover in the first six minutes of OT, but neither team was able to get much offense going. In the second overtime, Manhattan won the draw, leading to a Lipponer shot that nearly converted, but hit the post. On the subsequent Niagara clear attempt, the Jaspers forced a turnover with 3:55 to play. Then Fitzpatrick took over, launching an unassisted goal in from the top of the circle to send the Jaspers home with the victory. 

Manhattan committed 22 turnovers in the match-up, but just three in the final 12 minutes of play. The Jaspers earned seven goals on just 13 shots on goal, compared to Niagara's 23. Manhattan finished with just four free position opportunities, converting on one. 

Up Next:
Under the MAAC's tie-breaker rules, Manhattan secured the fourth-seed in the upcoming MAAC tournament, and will host #5 Marist at Gaelic Park in the first round on Saturday, April 27th. The match will begin at 11:00 am.