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Riverdale, NY – Hosting its first-ever postseason game in program history, fourth-seeded Manhattan fell to fifth-ranked Quinnipiac 1-0 in the first round of the 2017 MAAC Tournament on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Gaelic Park.
With the win, the Bobcats improve to 8-9-1 on the season and will play the regular season-champion Fairfield Stags on Thursday, November 9. The Jaspers conclude the 2017 season with a 9-8-1 record.
Manhattan almost jumped out to a 1-0 lead within the first six minutes of the ballgame. Sophomore
Jean-Baptiste Tamas-Leloup (Sainte Bazeille, France / Merignac) headed a cross from seven yards out that floated wide right.
Six minutes later, senior
Troy Carrington (Verona, NJ / Syracuse) rolled down the right side and tried to fire a shot off a tough angle, but could not curve the ball in.
In the 23rd minute, Quinnipiac appeared to score off a chance, but it was waved offside.
The second half began as the weather conditions worsened in Riverdale. The Bobcats' Jeppe Haehre attempted a header in the 50th minute that sailed right. In the 60th and 62nd minute, Manhattan goalkeeper
Marcellin Gohier (Pouance, France / CENS) made two solid saves to stop Paulo Soares and Shaquille Huggins.
Quinnipiac would break the ice in the 71st minute, however. Following a foul, the Bobcats took a free kick from 20 yards out. Max Rothenbuecher launched the ball into the box, and amidst a scrum, William Pustari flicked it towards the right post to beat Gohier and hold a 1-0 advantage.
The Jaspers pulled off two offensive chances in the next three minutes, but both were called offside. With less than nine minutes left, Manhattan had one last corner kick, but could not successfully convert it.
Inside the Numbers
- In 2017, the Jaspers did not allow more than one goal to a conference opponent and just four times all season as they set a new program record for fewest goals allowed (16).
- Manhattan improved their win total by seven games from 2016, which is for the second-best win improvement from two years in program history. The Jaspers improved by nine games from 1989-1990 and also by seven games from 1972-73 and 1979-80.
- Manhattan outshot Quinnipiac 4-3 in the first half and held a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks during the game.
- Gohier nabbed three saves in net.
- The Jaspers fell one win shy of tying the program record for most wins in a season. It is the third time in program history they finished a year with nine wins (1970 and 1978).
- Over 200 fans attended the first men's soccer playoff game at Gaelic Park. Over 2,400 fans watched Jasper men's soccer at home this season.
Up Next
The MAAC will announce its All-Conference Postseason Awards on Tuesday, November 7 at 7:00 pm.
