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Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - On a day in which seven seniors said farewell to Gaelic Park, the Manhattan women's soccer team sent their graduates out on a high note with a 1-0 win over Siena on Sunday morning. Goalkeeper Kara Davis posted her 13th career shutout while Brittany Egan assisted on a goal to push the Jaspers to 5-10 and 2-5 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
An uneventful first half saw Manhattan control the majority of the tempo, outshooting the Saints (6-9-1, 2-4-1 MAAC) 9-2. The first quality scoring chance of the match came when Aislinn McIlvenny ripped a shot that was saved by Siena's Taylor Booth. While the Jaspers back line held strong, leaving Davis with little to defend, the offense pressed the issue but couldn't find a goal as the game with into halftime deadlocked at zero.
The second half began with an aggressive attack from the Jaspers as both Egan and McIlvenny had shots blocked in the first four minutes. Then, in the 50th minute, Egan was able to force a turnover at midfield and pass it up ahead to Martine Diamond. The junior turned and fired a shot from 30 yards out that beat Booth to the upper left corner giving Manhattan a 1-0 advantage. Egan's assist was the first point of her collegiate career.
Siena would then up the pressure the remainder of the game looking for an equalizer. Coreena D'Alfonso had a shot off a Saints corner in the 63rd minute but missed high. Another corner kick would result in a header from Caitlin Cahalan that also missed the net wide right. In the final six minutes, Siena put a flurry of shots on net, with Davis making two brilliant saves to preserve the shutout.
Davis finished the day with three saves, while Booth made five for Siena. The Jaspers outshot their opponent 15-13 on the day while each squad attempted four corners.
The contest also marked the final home game in the careers of seniors Kayla Howden, Sara Jones, Claire Reinhard, Nicole Landes, and Allison Pfeiffer.
Manhattan now goes on the road for the final two matches of the 2012 regular season. On Fri. Oct., 26 they will travel to Iona for a 3 p.m. start before visiting MAAC rival Fairfield on Sunday.
