PHILADELPHIA, PA. – Manhattan and La Salle battled to a 1-1 draw Friday night.
Both clubs now own a 1-1-1 record early in the 2022 campaign.
As the end of the first half drew near,
Nassim Akki incurred a red card, leaving the Jaspers down a man for the remaining 50 minutes of the match.
Despite being down a man, head coach
Jorden Scott's club came out of the halftime break focused and ready for the challenge that lay ahead.
In the 47th minute, following a foul on the Explorers,
James Cotter demonstrated why he was given the role of captain this year, stepping up and giving the Jaspers a 1-0 lead off a set piece, right to left.
La Salle was able to respond with the equalizer off the foot of Giammarco Rodio in the 49th minute.
In the second half, despite having 10 players out on the pitch, the Jaspers defensive line held the Explorers to only four shots and defended all three corner kicks they faced.
La Salle outshot Manhattan 10-4, 4-3 on target. Cotter and
Gunnar Studenhofft each record a pair of shots.
Danny DiMarco recorded three saves while his counterpart, Valentin Kneis stopped a pair of shots.
The Jaspers now turn its heads towards the yearly installment of the Battle of the Bronx, facing off against Fordham on Tuesday, September 6 at 7 p.m.
