ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Manhattan scored five straight goals over the final 22 minutes to beat Navy 6-5 on Saturday afternoon in Annapolis.
"I am so proud of how our guys competed and fought back today," said head coach
John Odierna.
Tadhg O'Riordan supplied the game-winning goal with exactly one minute remaining for Manhattan (2-0). O'Riordan also assisted on the game-tying goal for the Jaspers.
The five-goal run was started with a rocket by sophomore
Kelly DuPree to make it 5-2 Navy (3-1) with 6:57 left in the third quarter.
Liam Walshe then went on a personal three-goal run that ended with the graduate student tying the game at five with 7:06 remaining.
Joseph Persico did his part on Saturday. In his second career start, Persico made 22 saves and kept the Jaspers in the game in the first half after Manhattan fell behind 3-1 after the first quarter. Navy fired 16 shots in the first quarter and 11 more in the second. Persico made 12 stops on 16 shots on goal in the first half.
"I am thrilled for Joe, he has worked so hard for this opportunity and he is taking full advantage. Our entire defensive unit was so connected today and we want that group to be the backbone of our program, especially in tight games," added Odierna.
Seven of Persico's saves came in the fourth quarter without allowing a goal. Navy's final goal of the day came from Jon Jarosz with 11 minutes to play in the third. The Midshipmen also hit the post twice in the third after Jarosz's tally and the crossbar in the fourth.
Walshe's hat trick was his second in as many games. O'Riordan's three-point day brings his point total to four on the season. DuPree's goal was the first of his career.
Sean Baudille went 4-8 on faceoffs for the Jaspers. All four came after halftime to help the Jaspers' comeback.
Persico's 22 saves were one away from tying the most in a game in Division I this year.
Next for the Jaspers is a road trip to Princeton on Tuesday evening to face the No. 4/5 Tigers at 6 p.m.
For the latest on the Manhattan College men's lacrosse program, follow the Jaspers on Twitter @ManhattanMLAX and Instagram @Manhattan_Lacrosse.
