Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Allison Pfeiffer delivered the decisive strike in the 63rd minute as the Manhattan women's soccer team took a 2-1 victory in its season opener on Friday at Gaelic Park. Lady Jaspers' sophomore goalkeeper Kara Davis recorded the win posting four saves, including a highlight reel stop with less than four minutes remaining to seal the match.
"Our team had a great physical effort today, everything we could ask for," said Lady Jaspers' first year head coach Brendan Lawler who became the first coach in program history to win his debut.
Manhattan came out with an energetic attack and struck first in the 12th minute with a pinpoint cross from senior Caroline Morse followed by an open net finish by Tara Gleason. It was Gleason's second goal and fifth point in her last three games dating back to the 2009 MAAC Tournament.
Knights' freshman midfielder Elizabeth Langer notched the equalizer in the 26th minute courtesy of an assist from junior Bailey Popowich. Langer slipped behind the Lady Jaspers' defense and punched her shot into the back right corner for her first career tally.
With the contest still locked 1-1 midway through the second half, Lawler's timely substitution for the fresh legs of Pfeiffer and senior midfielder Marissa Greco paid dividends for the Lady Jaspers. Junior Megan Lavecchia ignited the Lady Jaspers' game winning run with a sleek pass up the right side, which was tracked down by Greco on the fly. In a 1-on-1 opportunity with Knights' goalkeeper Stephanie Tanzai, Greco launched a shot off the cross bar only to be cleaned up by Pfeiffer who capitalized on the rebound.
Manhattan dodged one last bullet with 3:33 remaining when Davis stopped Knights' midfielder Katie Hilder's header at the doorstep. Hilder's shot was destined for the left side of the goal, before Davis made a lunging stop with her finger tips to direct it inches wide of the post.
The Lady Jaspers look to build on the inspiring effort Sunday when they travel to cross-town rival Fordham for a 1 p.m. match.
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