Box Score
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RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Lady Jaspers gave it a valiant effort, but could not trip up the last remaining undefeated and untied team in NCAA Division I women's soccer as Manhattan (2-7-1, 0-1 MAAC) fell 2-1 to Siena (9-0-0, 1-0 MAAC) on Friday at Gaelic Park. Saints' midfielder Cara Riley broke a 1-1 tie in the 55th minute with her third goal of the season for the game winning score in the conference opener.
Lady Jaspers' senior forward Caroline Morse recorded her 20th career goal, becoming just the fifth player in the program's 20 year history to reach this milestone. The Lebanon, N.J. native leads Manhattan with 10 points this season and ranks fourth all-time with 55 career points.
After dueling through a scoreless first half, the Lady Jaspers and Saints combined for all three goals within an eight minute span early in the second stanza. Siena senior Tabitha Tice put the Saints out front in the 48th minute when she sailed a shot from 25 yards out just over the finger tips Manhattan's leaping goalkeeper Kara Davis. Davis finished with four saves in the complete game effort in her eighth start of the season.
Manhattan struck back less than five minutes later when Morse intercepted an errant pass between two Siena backs and fired one into the top of the net from 30 yards out. It marked Morse's third goal in the past three games at Gaelic Park.
The Lady Jaspers didn't have much time to enjoy tying the score as Riley struck for the game winner in the 55tth minute courtesy of an assist from Saints' leading scorer Brittany Pfaff who recorded her 14th point. Pfaff got the ball to Riley at the top of the box and she ricocheted a shot off the cross bar into the net.
Siena goalkeeper Laura Ettinger earned her sixth win of the season recording two saves along the way.
Manhattan placed two of its three shots on goal to Siena's six to 14 shot on goal ratio. The Saints also held a 3-2 corner kick advantage in the match.
The Lady Jaspers look to rebound on Sunday when they complete their four game homestand with a match against Marist. Kick off is slated for 10 a.m. at Gaelic Park.
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