Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan women's soccer team battled through its fourth straight overtime match, this time tying Fairfield (7-7-2, 2-1-2 MAAC) 1-1 on Sunday morning at Gaelic Park. Lady Jaspers' sophomore Megan Lavecchia posted the first goal of the contest in the 74th minute, but Stags' senior Adrienne Boyer added the equalizer 36 seconds later and the game remained tied through two overtime periods.
"I thought this was a fair result," stated Manhattan head coach Sean Driscoll. "It was similar to our last match where we played very strong in the first half and let up a little in the second half."
Lady Jaspers' freshman goalkeeper Kara Davis anchored a solid first half defensive effort, which was also supported by backs Jill Beauchamp, Amanda Fischer, Kara Bucci and Laura Thurston. In the 32nd minute Davis made a notable save to keep the match scoreless when she elevated to punch a shot by Fairfield midfielder Brianna Miller over the crossbar. The teams entered intermission locked in a scoreless tie.
"Our four backs played strong and really stepped up," said Driscoll. "Fairfield possessed the ball well today. They are a very dangerous team."
Lavecchia broke the tie with 73:55 on the clock when she finished in the right corner on a fast break. Lady Jaspers' leading scorer Caroline Morse set up the play when she drew the attention of the Stags' defense at the top of the box, and sent a crisp pass to Lavecchia on the left side for a 1-on-1 with goalie Kelly Boudreau. The assist was Morse's fourth of the year for her 18th point.
Fairfield responded immediately to its one goal deficit as on the very next possession it evened the contest at 1-1 with Boyer's third goal of the year. Stags' junior Nicole Cavallaro launched a shot off the crossbar on a free-kick and Boyer was there to push the rebound into the back of the net.
The squads played even for the remainder of regulation and through two 10 minute overtimes for the draw. Manhattan outshot Fairfield 12-9 in the match.
"We are starting to have more consistent performances, and this is reflected in our last three games," Driscoll stated. "We just need to capitalize better on our scoring opportunities."
Manhattan moves to 5-7-2 overall and 1-3-2 in the MAAC. The Lady Jaspers return to Gaelic Park for the regular-season home finale on Thursday evening versus Army. Kick off is set for 7 p.m. Prior to the match, Manhattan will honor its graduating senior class.
