Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan women's lacrosse team fought back from a late-game deficit but was unable to hold on to a one-goal second period lead in a 9-8 loss to Niagara Sunday afternoon.
Trailing 7-5 with 17 minutes remaining in the contest, the Lady Jaspers (3-7, 0-3 MAAC) scored three straight goals to take an 8-7 advantage at the 9:45 mark of the second period but gave up two goals thereafter in falling to the Purple Eagles (2-7-1, 1-1 MAAC).
For Manhattan, junior attacker Chrissy Gutenberger led the way with three goals while senior attacker Julia Lavelle added two.
A tight contest the entire way, each team held at least two leads through the contest. After Niagara opened the scoring on a Lauren Bowen goal at the 29:44 mark of the first, the Lady Jaspers would respond with three of the next four tallies.
Freshman midfielder Kelsey Rehain tied the score at 1-all with 20:09 remaining in the first period. After Alison Valerio gave the Purple Eagles a 2-1 advantage with 19:10 left in the period, Gutenberger and Lavelle went back-to-back to give Manhattan a 3-2 lead, with Lavelle's goal coming at the 15:24 mark of the first period.
Niagara would then answer back with two consecutive tallies and three of the next four to take a 5-4 lead into the break.
In the second period, both teams would trade scores before Manhattan strung together three goals in close to three minutes to take their final advantage with 9:45 remaining. Trailing 7-5, BrieAnna Spatarella cut the deficit to 7-6 with 12:57 remaining before Gutenberger teamed with senior midfielder Tara Convery to add the next two goals and give Manhattan an 8-7 lead with 9:45 to play.
However, it would be the Purple Eagles who proved victorious on the day. Fueled by attackers Fran Pollastro and Valerio, Niagara rallied for two scores late to take a 9-8 advantage with 7:43 left in the contest and held on by that ledger for the "Senior Day" victory.
In the cage, Patricia McTiernan made 11 saves to pick up the victory. Manhattan senior goalkeeper Jayne Timo recorded three saves in taking the loss.
Overall, the Lady Jaspers held advantages in shots (29-18), ground balls (23-18) and free-position shots (3-5/2-4), while the Purple Eagles picked up two more draw controls (10-8).
Manhattan looks for their first MAAC win Friday, when they welcome Siena to Gaelic Park for a 7 p.m. contest.
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