Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Picking up where they left off earlier in the week, the Manhattan women's lacrosse team rallied from a three-goal deficit to defeat Sacred Heart 9-8 Saturday afternoon at Campus Stadium in Fairfield, Conn.
Recording their second victory in as many games, the Lady Jaspers (2-1) used timely scoring and clutch defense late to slide past the Pioneers (1-2) on the road. Last season, Manhattan did not record their second win until April 13, a positive sign for the up-and-comers.
Manhattan began the scoring with 28:16 remaining in the first period when senior midfielder Tara Convery finished a free position shot to make it 1-0 Lady Jaspers. Sacred Heart would follow with four consecutive scores, two by Emily Pepe, to take a 4-1 advantage with 8:02 remaining in the first period.
Relying on a pair of freshmen to settle the score, newcomer Carly Eskenazi would net back-to-back goals to put Manhattan within one before Maria Toscano tied it at 4-all with 29:03 remaining in the second period.
A wire-to-wire battle, Sacred Heart would take a 5-4 lead with 27:11 left on a goal by Jessica Ingrilli before the Kelly green and white responded with three straight scores. Coming off a three-goal performance against Wagner, senior midfielder Phelicia VanOverbeke netted two unassisted goals and senior attacker Julia Lavelle added one to put Manhattan ahead 7-5 with 15:43 remaining in the game.
Unwilling to go quietly, the Pioneers tied the game yet again when Alyssa Dorsey and Ingrilli each scored on free position shots to deadlock the game at 7-all at the 10:25 mark of the second period.
With Manhattan sophomore goalkeeper Julia DiBernardo keeping the score even with big saves in the final minutes, the Lady Jaspers would score two clutch goals in 60 seconds to seal the victory. With 2:30 left in regulation, Manhattan junior defender Breana Leonard broke the tie with an unassisted tally to make it 8-7 Lady Jaspers. Padding the lead, Lavelle would clinch the victory with her second of the game to give Manhattan a 9-7 advantage. Sacred Heart would score late but the clock would favor the away team on this day.
In net, DiBernardo made 15 saves to pick up the victory while Pioneers' goalkeeper Megan Pepe recorded 14 saves in the tough loss. Despite being outshot by Sacred Heart (31-25), Manhattan had a greater number of ground balls (18-15). Both teams committed 17 turnovers.
The Lady Jaspers return to action next Thursday, when they welcome Central Connecticut State to Riverdale for a non-conference matchup. First draw is set for 5 p.m.
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