RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Manhattan University men's lacrosse team (5-4, 3-0 MAAC) defeated the University of Quinnipiac (2-7, 2-2) by a score of 7-6 at Gaelic Park on Wednesday afternoon. The Jaspers improved to 3-0 in conference play behind a game-winner from Liam Peabody.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Green and White came out strong in the first quarter, with Jack Miller breaking things open, notching his second goal of the campaign.
- Seven minutes later, Kelly DuPree found Scott O'Connor to extend the lead to two.
- In the second quarter, Quinnipiac answered back, finding the back of the net twice, one score from Owen Murray and another from Tommy Andruzzi, to send the squads into the break knotted up at two.
- The back-and-forth battle continued from the intermission when Drew Hiner set up Dupree to take the lead off a bobcat's turnover.
- Later in the third, Miller notched his second goal of the game with a heater from deep range to fire up the Jaspers's sideline.
- Following another dominating quarter from Manhattan, Quinnipiac would retaliate once again, scoring three unanswered goals to take back the lead.
- The three tallies all came within the first three minutes of the final period, with Nate Watson, Justin Robert, and Murray getting the Bobcats back on top.
- After a successful clear attempt, Hiner stopped the bleeding for the Jaspers, netting his 11th goal of the year.
- Connor Engel gave the green and white a one-score edge, capitalizing off a turnover from the visitors.
- Soon after, the Bobcats again answered the call, with Robert connecting for his second goal for the evening.
- With just under four minutes remaining, Liam Peabody drove into the defense and got between the poles for the Jaspers; the unassisted effort would be the game-winner, with Manhattan's defense holding strong for the victory.
STATS AND NOTES
- Kelly DuPree tallied three points on the day, including a goal and two assists, while taking six shots on goal and three ground balls.
- Damien Blando and Andrew Giandonato each had 5 ground balls in the win.
- Drew Hiner totaled two points in the match with a goal and an assist.
- Jack Miller's two goals were a season-high for the sophomore.
- Keith Fraser won 6 of his 16 face-off attempts on the day.
- Connor Hapward logged ten saves on 31 shots faced with 20 on target, allowing just six goals, while recording his fifth victory of the season.
- Manhattan forced 20 turnovers as a team while picking up 29 ground balls.
NEXT UP:
Manhattan University is back in action on Saturday, March 29, when the Jaspers travel to Buffalo, N.Y., to take on Canisius University. The MAAC matchup starts at 11 a.m. on ESPN+ with a paid subscription.