Clinton, SC – An all-around effort, fueled by three different hat tricks and stout defensive execution, helped Manhattan earn its first win of the season in a 14-4 rout on Monday afternoon at Bailey Stadium.
With the victory, the Jaspers even their record at 1-1, while the Blue Hose falls to 0-2 on the season.
Manhattan utilized the connection of Molly Fitzpatrick (Yorktown, NY / Lakeland) and Sarah Lang (Golden's Bridge, NY / Vermont) to get the game started. Six minutes in, the Jaspers patiently controlled the ball until Lang found Fitzpatrick for the game's first goal. Five minutes later, Fitzpatrick helped Lang recorded her first of the afternoon for a 2-0 lead.
Moments later, senior Kara Hodapp (Oak Ridge, NJ / Jefferson Township) netted two strikes, including one on a free-position attempt, to push Manhattan's advantage to 4-0.
After Presbyterian got on the board, Fitzpatrick and Lang switched off on four goals for an 8-1 lead. In the first half, Fitzpatrick had six points while Lang had a hat trick.
Manhattan also excelled defensively in the opening frame. The Jaspers coerced Presbyterian into 10 turnovers and collected 12 ground balls while successfully clearing 13 of their 14 attempts.
In the second stanza, Hodapp reached her second hat trick in as many games six minutes in. Less than a minute later, freshman Carmella Liscio (Blauvelt, NY / Tappan Zee) scored the first two goals in her collegiate career 29 seconds apart, extending Manhattan's lead to 11-2. Fitzpatrick added her fourth goal of the game with 18:37 to go.
Halfway through the second half with the Jaspers up 12-2, starting goalkeeper Nikki Prestiano (Yorktown Heights, NY / Yorktown) denied Presbyterian's Natalie Barnett on a free-position shot to keep the lead at 10. The junior made six saves and had a robust .750 save percentage. She was lifted for Caitie Pluta (Sykesville, MD / Century) after Manhattan made it 13-2.
Fitzpatrick finished with four goals and three assists, while Lang collected four goals. Hodapp collected three goals on a team-high five shots, while Talia Price (Kinnelon, NJ / Kinnelon) added an insurance goal in the second half.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Manhattan edged Presbyterian in shots (26-16), draw controls (11-8) and ground balls (20-18).
- The Jaspers held the Blue Hose to 0-7 on free-position shots. The last time Manhattan did not allow any free-position goals came against Sacred Heart back on March 29, 2017.
- Manhattan's 14 goals are the third-most scored under Head Coach Katie McConnell.
- After executing 80 percent of its clears in the season opener, Manhattan was 20-22 on clears on Monday. The Jaspers have cleared 85 percent of their opportunities so far this year.
- Junior Emma Kaishian (Yorktown, NY / Yorktown) was impressive defensively, leading Manhattan with four caused turnovers and five draw controls.
- The Jaspers take the first game in the all-time series history.
- Freshmen Alaina Burgess, Grace Owens, Rachel Giachinta, Grace Steinthal and Hayley Kmack all made their collegiate debuts.
- All told, 26 players participated in Monday's match.
UP NEXT
Manhattan returns to Riverdale for its home opener against fledgling program Arizona State on Saturday, February 24 at 1:00 pm.