RIVERDALE, NY – In a see-saw affair, the Manhattan Jaspers Women's Lacrosse team (2-13, 1-6 MAAC) was narrowly edged by the Broncs of Rider University (6-9, 2-5 MAAC) by a score of 14-13 from Gaelic Park on Wednesday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Jaspers were looking to conclude the 2025 home season on a high note, but the opposition threatened early, as the Broncs got on the board just 49 seconds into the contest.
- Countering was Emily Fiola, who evened the game at one off a Rider turnover and put the Green and White on the board.
- After Rider countered and went ahead of Manhattan, Olivia Cruthers tied the game following a free-position save by goalkeeper Danielle Serbinski.
- Down by two were the Jaspers midway through the first quarter before Rider's keeper saved Julia Kerr's first shot of the game.
- Emily Fiola picked up the ground ball after the Kerr miss and found Lauren Maher to bring the Broncs' lead to just one.
- In the final minute of the first stanza, the Jaspers exploded with a Cruthers and Mahan goal to tie the game at five.
- On the man advantage midway through the second quarter and trailing by one for the third time, Fiola found the back of the net thanks to Cruthers' perfect pass.
- Turning the ball over was the Broncs' Hamilton, which eventually led to a free-position goal for Maya Metz to tie the game again, this time at seven a piece.
- Six minutes later, Metz gave the Jaspers its first lead of the game off Juliana Mahan's caused turnover seconds earlier.
- With less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Brooke Leonard, on the man advantage, put Manhattan ahead for the final time, 12-11.
- The Broncs had the final say to close out the contest, with three goals in the fourth, which gave Rider its largest lead. With 55 seconds remaining in the game, Cruthers scored her third goal on the man advantage to narrow the lead to as little as one, but it was ultimately not enough.
STATS AND NOTES
- Senior Olivia Cruthers paced the Green and White with three goals on the afternoon, along with assisting on four goals. Cruthers added five shots with four on target, scooped two balls, and caused a team-high three turnovers.
- Emily Fiola also scored three goals on five total shots on target. Additionally, Fiola picked up a team-high five ground balls.
- Freshman Juliana Mahan recorded two goals with as many shots on goal, grabbed one ground ball, and caused one turnover. Finally, Mahan registered one draw control.
- Junior attack Maya Metz logged two goals on as many shots on goal. Additionally, Metz assisted on one goal and was one-of-one on free-position shots.
- Freshman attack Julia Kerr added two assists on five total shots. Two of which were on goal. The freshman scooped one ground ball and was successful on three draw controls.
- Junior attack Brooke Leonard posted two goals on three shots on target.
- Junior attack Lauren Maher registered one goal on three shots on goal.
NEXT UP:
Manhattan concludes its campaign in Western New York on Saturday, April 19, against the Golden Griffins of Canisius University. The season finale is set to begin at 10 a.m. in Buffalo. The game can be streamed on ESPN+ with a paid subscription.