Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? Columbia midfielder Sophie Reiser scored the game winning goal in the 15th minute helping the Lions to a 2-0 victory over the Manhattan women's soccer team (3-4-1) this evening at Gaelic Park. Liz Wicks tallied Columbia's (6-2-1) second goal in the 62nd minute to secure the victory.
“I thought we played well tonight,” explained Lady Jaspers' head coach Sean Driscoll. “They [Columbia] are a tough team and should do well in the Ivy League. We stuck to our game plan and held our own. That first goal was just tough to rebound from.”
Reiser broke the scoreless tie with 14:29 on the clock when she placed a misplayed, loose ball into the left side of the net. Lady Jaspers' goalkeeper Caitlin Trupiano came sliding out of the goal, but couldn't handle a deflected ball that eventually found its way into Reiser's possession with an open goal ahead of her. The Lions carried their 1-0 advantage into halftime.
Trupiano tallied seven saves in the contest, including a brilliant stop that prevented another goal in the 23rd minute. Lions' back Alana Presslaff sailed a shot from 20 yards out that was on target for the top left corner. Trupiano managed to elevate and punch the ball over the crossbar in what proved to be a highlight reel save.
The Lady Jaspers' invoked offensive pressure on Columbia in the second half, but could not capitalize. In the 54th minute, freshman back Devon Lutz broke free just above the box and sent a shot wide right of the post. Soon thereafter, junior co-captain Courtney McMahon served a pass into the box for Alexandra Konneker, who headed the ball into the hands of Lions' goalie Lillian Klein.
“We couldn't get a break tonight,” explained Driscoll. “Although, I was very pleased with the high level of enthusiasm and effort we displayed throughout the game.”
Klein finished with five saves, and improved to 3-0 on the season.
In the 62nd minute, Wicks tallied the second goal of the contest when she placed a shot just inside the right post. Nicole Locantore set up the score with a corner kick into the box. Reiser nudged the ball to Wicks, who completed the play.
Columbia slightly edged Manhattan in shots, 16-15.
Manhattan opens MAAC play on Saturday evening when it hosts Saint Peter's for a 7 p.m. match at Gaelic Park. The game will be webcast live and on-demand exclusively at GoJaspers.com. Lady Jasper fans can purchase the broadcast for a one time fee of $5.95.
