Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan women's soccer team battled Columbia (6-9-2) deep into the second half, but a Lions' goal in the 78th minute by reserve Natalie Melo was the decisive strike in a 1-0 setback. Jaspers' goalkeeper Kara Davis and Maria Sanzari split time in goal combining for five saves. Columbia goalkeepers Grace Redmon and Lillian Klein each played a half as they made five saves to secure the dual shutout.
Manhattan (3-11-2) got on the attack early peppering Columbia with eight shots to only one from the Lions in the first half of action. Redmon managed to come up with five saves in the opening 45 minutes, while Davis kept Columbia off the scoreboard with three saves as the teams entered intermission in a scoreless tie.
The Lions' offense came to life in the second stanza as they tested Manhattan with 12 shots. Sanzari stepped in net for Manhattan in the 63rd minute relieving Davis who entered the match ranked fourth in NCAA Division I for saves (127) this season. Sanzari settled in quick making her first two saves, but nearly 15 minutes after entering the match Columbia slipped one past her off a cross in front of the net. Melo settled the feed and fired it home with her left foot.
Jaspers' Kiersten McGarty and Lexi Kearns put a pair of shots on goal with less than five minute remaining in the match, but Klein was able to corral the attempts to secure the shutout.
Manhattan has two matches remaining in the regular-season when the Jaspers visit Loyola on Friday at 7 p.m. and Rider on Sunday at 1 p.m.
