Riverdale, N.Y. (October 24, 2005)- The Manhattan offense awoke from its season-long slumber, exploding for seven goals on its way to a 7-2 MAAC win over Saint Peter's this afternoon at Gaelic Park. Sophomores
Javier Escobedo and
Josh Swett each tallied two goals as the Jaspers improve their MAAC record to 1-3-0, while handing the Peacocks (2-1-2) their first conference loss.
Saint Peter's had the game's first scoring chance, as the Peacocks' Kevin Hudson intercepted a Manhattan pass just seconds after the opening kickoff, but he was unable to get a shot off, giving Manhattan new life.
The Jaspers took advantage of this second chance, as
Chris Smith fed a long lead pass to Escobedo, who attacked the goal and beat Saint Peter's goalkeeper Pat Nagawiecki to give Manhattan a 1-0 lead at the 8:44 mark.
Saint Peter's would answer with two goals over the next 12 minutes to take a 2-1 lead. Hudson scored the first goal off a feed from Marco Orias, and Juan Gaviria tallied the second on a penalty kick after being fouled in the box.
Manhattan would not let the game slip away, as the Jaspers' counterattacks gave the Peacock defense trouble all game.
Mike Barbuto would knot the score at 2-2 in the 30th minute, as
Adam Kiley gained possession off a Saint Peter's turnover and cross the ball to Barbuto, who one-touched the ball to the back of the net for his first goal of the season.
Swett would give Manhattan a lead it would never relinquish just over three minutes later, as a Saint Peter's player was whistled for a hand ball in the penalty area. Swett would bury the penalty kick for a 3-2 Manhattan lead.
The Jaspers doubled their advantage in the 40th minute as
John Dellipriscoli passed the ball to Barbuto, who sent a perfect cross to the head of Swett, who deposited the ball in the back of the netting for his second marker of the game as Manhattan carried the 4-2 lead into the break.
The Jaspers would extend their lead to 5-2 at the 50:11 mark, as Kiley intercepted a clear attempt and put the ball to the upper right corner from 25 yards out. Escobedo would convert a penalty kick in the 71st minute after he was taken down in the area to increase the lead to 6-2, before Dellipriscoli took a long lead pass from Smith and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper at the 81:01 mark to provide the final margin. The goal was the first collegiate goal for Dellipriscoli.
David Mires made two saves in net for Manhattan, who limited Saint Peter's to seven shots, with just two coming in the second half. Nagawiecki made one save, allowing five goals, over 55:36 of work before being relieved by Matthew Lawlor, who made one save and allowed two goals over the final 34:24.
The seven goal outburst is the most for Manhattan since the Jaspers defeated Niagara, 8-2, on October 1, 1994, and is the most goals scored at home since Manhattan blanked Niagara, 7-0, on October 5, 1991.
Manhattan returns on action on Wednesday, October 26, hosting Siena for a MAAC match slated to begin at 2:30 p.m. at Gaelic Park.
