Liscio's Late Goal Pushes Manhattan Past Niagara

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Riverdale, NY - Senior Carmella Liscio (Blauvelt, NY / Tappan Zee) scored with six seconds to play in regulation, lifting Manhattan to an impressive 9-8 win over Niagara.

* Liscio goal, came following a restart, as senior Alaina Burgess' (Holden, MA / The Governor's Academy) initial shot with 20 seconds to play clanked off the post, while giving the Jaspers a shot-clock reset.

* Manhattan was able to overcome a pair of two-goal deficits thanks to a strong defense that forced 21 turnovers, including 11 after halftime, while limiting the visitors to just two goals on seven free position attempts.

* Junior Grace Lipponer (Lake Grove, NY / Sachem North) paced the offense with three goals and an assist, while Liscio added two goals and an assist.

* Burgess had a goal and two assists, while junior Meghan Rodino (Natick, MA / Natick) added a goal and an assist to round out the top Jasper scorers.

* After Niagara scored the first two goals of the match, Burgess found sophomore Reagan Mullins (Islip, NY / Islip) and Lipponer for back-to-back goals to draw Manhattan even at 2-2 with 17:17 to play until halftime.

* The Purple Eagles would momentarily respond, before Lipponer and Rodino found the back of the net to give the Jaspers a 4-3 lead at the 5:53 mark.

* Niagara would reclaim the lead with a pair of goals before graduate student Deb Peifer (Collegeville, PA / Methacton) tied it up early in the second half.

* After the Purple Eagles scored the next goals, Manhattan responded with three-straight strikes off the sticks of Liscio, Lipponer and Burgess in taking an 8-7 lead with 8:23 to play.

* Niagara would briefly quell the run, while setting the stage for Liscio's heroics.

* Sophomore Ashley Gambardella (Bethpage, NY / Plainedge) made seven saves with three ground balls in earning the victory.

* Junior Andrea Liotta (Glenwood Landing, NY / North Shore) had five draw controls and two ground balls, while senior Grace Steinthal (White Plains, NY / Harborfields) scooped up four ground balls to round out the top statistical performers.

* Manhattan is now 2-8, while Niagara falls to 7-4.

* The Jaspers will wrap up MAAC Regular Season play tomorrow at Iona, with opening draw tabbed for 4:00 pm.