Riverdale, N.Y. (September 5, 2007)- In the first regular season Division I intercollegiate match at the newly refurbished Gaelic Park, the Manhattan College women's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw with the University at Albany Great Danes.
The Lady Jaspers got on the board first, when Christine Reina served the ball into the area, and Courtney McMahon one-touched the ball past the Great Dane keeper from six yards out at the 30:53 mark. Manhattan carried the lead into the half, holding an 11-5 advantage in shots, while forcing the Albany keeper to make five saves.
Manhattan continued to carry play in the second half, out shooting the Great Danes 9-4, but one play changed the course of the game. Moments after Diana Berrera subbed into the game for Albany, she found the ball at her feet after an Ashley Tirabassi shot was deflected by the Lady Jasper keeper, and she planted the ball into the back of the net at the 71:25 mark to knot the score at 1-1.
The Lady Jaspers had a golden opportunity to take a lead in the first of two mandatory 10-minute overtimes, as a handball in the Albany box gave Manhattan a penalty kick, but Albany keeper Maria Liguori was up to the task, turning away the chance to keep the score knotted.
Manhattan tallied five shots to Albany's none in the second overtime, but could not solve Liguori, who ended the day with eight saves. Over the course of the match, the Albany defense turned three shots away from the goal line, adding to the Lady Jaspers' offensive frustration.
Alicia DeFino turned away four shots for Manhattan, which held a 25-10 advantage in shots and a five to one advantage in corners.
The Lady Jaspers return to action on Sunday, September 9, when they host local and boro rival Fordham University at Gaelic Park. Game time is slated for 10:00 a.m.
