Buffalo, N.Y. (April 15, 2006)--Manhattan found the back of the net three straight times in the waning minutes of the third quarter to even the score heading into final period of play of Saturday afternoon's MAAC men's lacrosse game at Canisius. The Jaspers, however, were unable to ride that momentum into the fourth quarter, as Canisius' Kevin Ross opened the scoring 21 seconds into the period by putting what turned out to be the game-winner past Manhattan goalie John Geagan. The Golden Griffs added two more before the final buzzer to thwart the Jaspers' comeback hopes, winning 10-7.
For the most part, Geagan and the Manhattan defense were able to contain the explosive Ross, as the MAAC's leading goal-scorer did not record a shot on goal until the fourth quarter. When he finally did manage to fire one on goal, however, he made it count as he swung the game right back in Canisius' favor.
Trailing 7-4, Manhattan got the spark it needed when Christian Schaefers netted his fifth goal of the season with 3:38 left in the third quarter. Less than 30 seconds later, junior Brian Murray joined the act by registering his twelfth goal of the season, which at the moment tied him with teammate Greg Lewis for the team lead.
The two teammates, however, would not be tied for long. With 34 ticks left in the quarter, Lewis scored the equalizer and picked up a hat trick in the process. The senior midfielder scored two of Manhattan's first three goals of the game, as the Jasper got out to an early 3-1 lead.
After Lewis' second tally of the contest about one minute into the second quarter, the Canisius offense busted out with six of the next seven scores in the game.
Geagan was charged with the loss on the afternoon, but the freshman did managed to turn aside 13 shots.
Manhattan falls to 3-6 overall and 1-3 in MAAC play with two conference games this upcoming week, one at Providence on April 19 and a second at Siena on April 22.