Manhattan University Athletics

RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan College (1-5, 1-0 MAAC) hosted Mount St. Mary's in its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opener on Sunday, defeating the Mountaineers (0-7, 0-1 MAAC), 12-6 at Gaelic Park.

"Great all-around team win today! The players competed with a lot of confidence and energy to earn our first win of the season," said head coach Doug Sage."

"Awesome individual efforts today by Kyle Gucwa with 3 goals & 1 assist on offense, James Hogan at Face-off, Damien Blando on defense and Connor Hapward in Goal. Kyle scored his 100th career goal today."
 
The Jaspers jumped out to a 9-2 lead at halftime over visiting Mount St. Mary's. Manhattan began the game on a 4-0 run thanks to a goal by Quinn Bowler to kick things off three minutes in, followed by a pair of goals by Drew Hiner and one by Scott O'Connor.
 
The Mountaineers' goal by Will McKay with 3:08 to play in the first ended the Jaspers' scoring. 
 
It wouldn't hold long as Manhattan rattled off five consecutive goals in the second period. James Basile started the scoring, while O'Connor added back-to-back goals within three minutes of each other. Kelly DuPree, who assisted in O'Connor's last goal, dished one in himself a few minutes later. Basile found Kyle Gucwa with under six minutes remaining.
 
Mount St. Mary's scored with 1:55 remaining in the first half to close Manhattan's lead to seven goals at the break.
 
The second-half scoring wasn't the same as the first half, as both teams made adjustments. Manhattan scored two goals in the third period and one in the fourth to seal the win.
 
Gucwa led the team with three goals and one assist for four points.
 
Connor Hapward earned the win and eight saves on the day. Andrew Giandonato and Damien Blando led the Jaspers with four groundballs each, while Blando also caused a trio of turnovers.
 
Manhattan is back in action on Saturday, March 16 at Sacred Heart. The game is set for 12 p.m. in Fairfield, Conn. at Campus Field. The Pioneers are 3-4, 1-1 in league play.