Denver, Colo. (February 26, 2006)--It was no secret that someone would have to step up this season and fill the scoring void left by the graduation of
Justin Otto and
Eugene Tanner, two of the program's most prolific scorers ever. In the second game of the season, junior
Brian Murray did just that. Murray exploded with four second-half goals to help the Jaspers to a 5-4 victory over Air Force on the final day of the Pioneer Face-off Classic.
Early on, however, things did not look favorable for Manhattan as Air Force tallied three first-half goals to take a 3-0 lead into the break. Murray, however, wasted no time in the second half as he put Manhattan on the board just 57 seconds into the third period with his second goal of the season. Seven minutes later, Murray added another score to cut the deficit to one entering the fourth period.
With 10:41 left in the game, Murray notched the hat trick and tied up the contest as he took
Greg Lewis' pass and found the back of the net. Lewis, who also scored a goal yesterday against No. 20 Denver, then gave Manhattan a 4-3 lead with 7:17 remaining by netting his second tally on the young season.
Air Force responded to tie the game at four as Kevin Crumrine put one past freshman goal keeper
John Geagan with only 27 seconds left on the clock. In fitting fashion, however, Murray scored his fourth goal of the contest with four ticks remaining to propel Manhattan to its first win of the young season.
In his collegiate debut, Geagan stopped 19 Air Force shots to help preserve the win.
Manhattan is now 1-1 on the season, and the Jaspers return to the East Coast to take on Sacred Heart in Fairfield, Conn. on March 4. Face-off is 12:00 noon.
