Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? The Manhattan women's soccer team missed several scoring opportunities, and fell 2-0 to Marist (3-13-0, 1-5-0 MAAC) this evening at Gaelic Park. Sophomore back Lauren Tillotson delivered the game winning goal in the eighth minute. Red Foxes' forward Merrilynn Esteve posted an insurance goal in the second half. Jamie Balzarini collected a game-high 10 saves to earn the shutout.
“Marist did an outstanding job tonight,” stated head coach Sean Driscoll. “They played well in the first half and were very organized. Marist is a good team. Their record is no indication on how talented they really are.”
Tillotson broke the scoreless tie just minutes into the game when she tracked down a rebound off the right post and pushed it past Lady Jaspers' goalkeeper Alyssa Bachowski. Esteve blasted the initial shot off the pipe, which fortunately came into Tillotson's possession.
Manhattan (6-7-1, 3-2-1 MAAC) bombarded the Red Foxes with 24 shots, 19 in the second half, but could not catch a break. Numerous attempts sailed just high or wide.
“We played very well in the second half, just didn't finish,” explained Driscoll. “To win games in this conference you have to take advantage of these scoring opportunities.”
In the 52nd minute, junior Courtney McMahon had a 1-on-1 chance in the middle of the box which was set up by a crafty pass from Christine Reina. She got a step on her defender and placed a shot on goal, but it was stopped by the charging Balzarini.
Marist scored its second goal of the match in the 61st minute when Esteve pounced on a misplayed ball by Bachowski and sent it into an open net.
The Lady Jaspers look to rebound Sunday morning on Senior Day versus Siena at 10 a.m in Riverdale. Festivities will begin prior to kick off.
