Riverdale, N.Y. (September 23, 2007) ? Getting goals from four different players, the Manhattan College men's soccer team got a big win against a very tough Florida Atlantic University squad, topping the Owls 4-2 at Gaelic Park.
“This was a great win for us, especially since it came less than 48 hours after a loss against VMI in a game we clearly dominated and should have won,” said Manhattan coach Michael Swanwick. “It was terrific to see the guys bounce back so quickly to get this important win for the program.”
The Jaspers, now 2-5-0 on the season, went on top right away, when junior midfielder John Dellipriscoli went one-on-one with his defender, cut inside and stroked a 30-yard shot into the top corner of the goal.
After a back and forth rest of the first half in which neither team scored, the Owls struck back in the ninth minute of the second half, getting an unassisted goal from Shire Standnes to even up the game at 1-1.
But the Jaspers kept their heads and came right back six minutes later with junior striker Fernando Londono banging in a great header off a nice pass from freshman midfielder Sean Russell. Then, continuing to quickly press the issue, the Jaspers scored again less than four minutes later, with senior back Adam Kiley taking a chip pass from Fernando Londono and chipping the ball himself over the FAU keeper's head to give the Jaspers a two goal lead at 3-1.
At 73:16, the Owls got back into the game, albeit for a short period of time, when an FAU striker got taken down in the box to get a penalty. FAU's Liam Ogle converted the penalty kick to bring the Owls to within a goal.
But again the Jaspers struck quickly. Less than a minute after the penalty conversion, sophomore midfielder Tony Safran scored off an Owl turnover, slotting the ball from six yards out to clinch the Manhattan victory.
Manhattan and FAU both took 10 shots during the contest, with FAU keeper Phillip Lamarre making four saves and Manhattan keeper John Ciano making three saves.
The Jaspers next head to Easton, Penn. Tuesday to take on Lafayette. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
