Riverdale, N.Y. — Manhattan will make the quick trek to Queens to battle St. John's on Thursday night. The Jaspers took a 3-2 loss at FDU in the season opener last Thursday, and will look to avenge their loss in a big way against the Red Storm.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
-Manhattan is led by MAAC household names Henry Hamilton, Nassim Akki, and Sebastiano Musu. Hamilton is a two-time All-MAAC Second Team selection who tied for most goals (7) on the team last season. He is tied with William Ishoo (1976-1979) for seventh all-time in goals with 13 for his career and is four back of sixth-place Brandon Joseph-Buadi (17). Akki's bona fides are reaffirmed by his 2022 MAAC Defender of the Year award and he has taken his spot on the All-MAAC First Team in each of the past two seasons. Meanwhile, Musu's debut campaign in the kelly green and white was riveting as he notched a pair of goals and 4 assists to garner a spot on the All-MAAC Third Team. Additionally, Musu was the lone striker in the MAAC to return to their respective school after being named to an All-MAAC Team.
-Junior Ayoub Boumelala is the Jaspers' ace in the midfield. The veteran midfielder has returned for his junior season after being named All-MAAC Third Team.
-It's a new era in net for the Jaspers. Junior goalkeeper Ludvig Malberg has assumed the reins for the Jaspers and made 3 saves in the 3-2 loss at FDU.
-Senior midfielder Harry Bark is off to a scintillating start after scoring twice at FDU. The New Zealand native matched his previous career goals total in just one game. Bark is one of three New Zealand natives on the roster joined by Henry Hamilton and Noah Boyce.
-The Jaspers are without Gunnar Studenhofft for the first time since the 2021 season. Studenhofft was drafted by the Colorado Rapids in the third round of the MLS Super Draft. He tied Hamilton for the team lead in goals last season with 7.
-St. John's is 0-1-1 following a 2-0 loss at URI and a 1-1 tie vs. Stony Brook. The Red Storm got a goal from Miguel Diaz in the seventh minute against Stony Brook amidst the Johnnies' quiet start to the season. Manhattan last played St. John's in 2019 and lost 3-0 at Belson Stadium. That season, the Red Storm advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament where they lost to No. 1 Virginia 3-0.
Series History
-Manhattan is 0-14-1 against the Big East foe to date. The series between the Jaspers and Red Storm dates back to 1979.
The Boss
-Manhattan head coach Jorden Scott is in his 12th season at the helm for the Jaspers. His staff is rounded out by fourth-year assistant Andrew Santos '15 and former MLS and Senegal National Team goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul who is in his second season as an assistant.
