Box Score
Purchase Manhattan Women's Soccer Yearbook
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Lady Jaspers battled through a nearly even match with defending MAAC champion Loyola (8-8-2, 4-3-0) in women's soccer action at Gaelic Park on Friday. The difference proved to be a penalty kick in the 16th minute that Greyhounds' midfielder Lina Staropoli capitalized on to snap Manhattan's (4-11-1, 2-4-0 MAAC) two game conference win streak.
Lady Jaspers' sophomore goalkeeper Kara Davis held her own in net recording a career-high 13 saves in the match. The superb goaltending by Davis and Loyola's goalkeeper Danielle Ippolito, along with a hard fought effort by both teams gave a vibe of last year's MAAC quarterfinals when the two programs' settled a double overtime tie with a shootout. Ippolito collected five saves in the contest to earn her fifth shutout of the season.
The Greyhounds received their break with 15:10 on the clock when Davis had ultimately no chance to stop a penalty kick from point blank range. Staropoli was awarded the kick after an aggressive tackle in the box by Lady Jaspers' senior back Kara Bucci. The senior from Raritan, N.J. placed it right inside the left post.
Manhattan played a virtually square match the rest of the way. The Lady Jaspers had several solid offensive runs in the second half, but could not deliver the equalizer. Senior forward Caroline Morse anchored the Lady Jaspers attack launching a game-high seven shots with two on goal. The Lady Jaspers best opportunity came in the 74th minute when Morse blasted a free kick just high of the crossbar.
Manhattan returns to Gaelic Park for the final time this season on Sunday to face Rider at 10 a.m. The Lady Jaspers will honor their five graduating seniors in a pregame ceremony.
To follow Manhattan Athletics on Twitter, go to twitter.com/GoJaspers or visit Manhattan's Facebook fan page.
