Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan women's soccer team had top-seeded Loyola (13-4-2) on the ropes, but could not deliver the knock out punch in the MAAC Tournament quarterfinals on Friday in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Locked at 1-1 through two overtimes, the Greyhounds advanced to the next round with a 5-4 victory in penalty kicks. The Lady Jaspers season comes to a close finishing with an 8-9-3 overall record.
"Any coach would like for their team to play its best soccer at the end of the season. For us today was proof of that," stated Manhattan head coach Sean Driscoll. "Everyone gave a great performance today against the number one seed in this tournament. Have to give a lot of credit to Loyola, they played well and found a way to win."
Manhattan forwards Caroline Morse and Megan Lavecchia matched penalty kicks with Loyola seniors Christina Gomez and Lina Staropoli in the first two rounds. After both teams missed their kicks in round three, junior Marissa Greco and senior Courtney McMahon kept the Lady Jaspers' hopes alive with successful kicks in the next two rounds. In the sixth round, Greyhounds freshman goalkeeper Danielle Ippolito came up with a diving save to her right to stop Jill Beauchamp's attempt, and then Loyola senior Amanda Meehan put the decisive kick in the back of the net.
Manhattan rushed out to a 1-0 advantage just 3:34 into the match when Morse lit up the net for her team leading eighth goal and 20th point of the year. Morse took a through pass from Tara Gleason, the star of the Lady Jaspers' opening round victory, and finished in the right side of the goal. The shot beat Ippolito who came up with five saves in the contest.
The deficit marked just the third time Loyola trailed this conference season. The Greyhounds posted an unblemished MAAC record during the regular-season going a perfect 9-0.
Loyola evened the score in the 19th minute when freshman Nichole Schiro settled a ball, which ricocheted off the post from teammate Kelly Thomas's free kick, and finished in the right side of the goal. It was Schiro's ninth goal of the season.
The Lady Jaspers out-shot the Greyhounds 12-4 over the second half and through two overtime sessions, but could not come up with the game winning strike. Manhattan also held a 7-3 corner kick advantage in the match.
Manhattan freshman goalkeeper Kara Davis played all 90 minutes and made three saves. She completed her rookie campaign with a 1.19 goal against average which ranks fourth among all MAAC goalies.
The Lady Jaspers' senior class comprised of Tracey Colantonio, Amanda Fischer, Alexandra Konneker, Laura Thurston, Caitlin Trupiano, Beauchamp and McMahon graduate as the winningest class in program history. These seven seniors posted 34 wins over their four year collegiate careers.
"This class will be missed," explained Driscoll. "They have helped mold this program with their hard work and dedication. Their contributions will be evident for years to come."
