Buffalo, NY (May 7, 2004) - The Jaspers men's lacrosse team in the 2004 MAAC semifinal upset #1 Marist with the score of 10-7. With the win, the Jaspers advance to the MAAC Championship game on Sunday May 7 at 12 pm, against the winner of the other semifnal contest, #2 Canisius vs. #3 Providence.
The Jaspers kicked off the scoring with a goal by freshman Chris Oppito at the 12:34 mark. Just six minutes later freshman Nick Cacciatore netted the second goal of the game for Manhattan, giving the Jaspers the 2-0 lead.
The Red Foxes with 12:17 left in the second quarter cut the lead to one, 2-1. Cacciatore netted his second goal of the game at the 10:46, making the score 3-1. Sophomore All-MAAC second team selection Greg Lewis recorded Manhattan's fourth goal of the game and with just two seconds remaining in the half freshman Brian Murray tallied his first goal of the game, ending the half with Manhattan ahead 5-1.
Lewis netted his second goal of the game, for the first goal of the second half, extending the Jaspers' lead to 6-1. Junior All-MAAC first team selection, Justin Otto tallied three goals in the third quarter. The Red Foxes netted three goals in a 1:04 span. The Jaspers ended the quarter with a five goal lead, 10-5.
Justin Otto (3 goals) and Brian Murray (2 goals, 1 assist) were the leading point getters for the Jaspers, each notching three points. Greg Lewis and Nick Cacciatore each netted two goals. Junior goaltender John Landers made 11 saves between the pipes. For the Red Foxes goaltender Steve Gravino made 16 saves.
This marks the third time the Jaspers have been in the MAAC Championship game. The Jaspers captured MAAC Championship just two years ago.