Riverdale, N.Y. (October 28, 2007)- Manhattan's MAAC playoff hopes were dashed following a 3-1 loss to local and MAAC rival Iona College this morning at Gaelic Park. The six Lady Jasper seniors were honored prior to the match.
Neither side generated any quality scoring chances over the first half of play. Manhattan keeper Alicia DeFino tallied four first half saves, and Iona keeper Suzanne Baldissard recorded two first half saves, but neither goalie was seriously challenged.
The Gaels got on track offensively early in the second half. Liz Allan passed the ball to Mariel Pepe, who placed a perfect through ball to the Carol Danis who slotted the ball to the lower corner to give Iona a 1-0 lead in the 47th minute.
The Lady Jaspers responded to that marker with renewed vigor on offense, nearly tying the score in the 51st minute as Rachel Pannullo's shot was cleared off the line by an Iona defender, and Courtney McMahon's follow was just wide.
Pannullo was not to be denied a second time, as she placed a header past the Iona keeper in the 61st minute bring Manhattan even at 1-1 off a service from Brittany Duhamel.
In need of three points to keep their MAAC playoff hopes alive, the Lady Jaspers pressed forward on offense, and Iona scored two counterattacking goals to provide the final margin.
DeFino finished with seven saves, while Baldissard recorded five saves on the day.
Manhattan concludes MAAC play on Thursday, November 1, traveling to Jersey City, N.J. to take on the Saint Peter's College Peahens. Game time is slated for 3:00 p.m.
