BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Manhattan men's lacrosse team had their two game win streak snapped as they dropped an 11-7 decision at Canisius in their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opener. With the loss, the Jaspers fall to 3-5 (0-1, MAAC) while the Golden Griffins improve to 2-3, 1-1 in conference play.
The Griffs scored five times in the first period, including three on the man-up opportunity, while holding Manhattan scoreless in the frame taking a 5-0 advantage. Both Simon Giourmetakis and Travis Gibbons scored twice in the quarter.
Ryan Payton would break the drought for the Jaspers with an EMO goal at 14:31 in the second frame. Jonathan Bourne added another goal to cut the deficit to three goals before Gibbons added another for Canisius. Manhattan would cut the lead in half on a Brett Madarasz goal and go into the locker room trailing 6-3.
The second half began much in the way the first did, with Canisius stringing together multiple goals. Giourmetakis would tally two more of his game high six goals as part of a three goal run by the Griffs. The Jaspers would respond with a three goal rally of their own with two goals from Brian McGrath and another from Tyler Jarvis to trail 9-6 with 10:03 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Giourmetakis continued his onslaught with another goal before McGrath completed his hat trick pulling Manhattan within three with 4:28 left in regulation. The Jaspers would be unable to muster anymore offense despite outshooting the Griffs 31-27 and forcing more turnovers (19) than they committed (14).
As a team, the Jaspers split the face offs (11-22) with freshman Brian Lenskold winning 11 of the 21 he took. They were also 13-15 on their clear attempts. Meanwhile, the Griffs were 12-15 in their clear conversions and picked up more ground balls, 27 to 21. They were also 3-4 in their extra man opportunities.
Sophomore goalkeeper Rich Akapnitis (2-3) made seven saves in the loss while Canisius' Sean Callahan stopped 11 shots in the victory.
Manhattan returns to play when they host MAAC rival Detroit at 1:00 p.m. on Sat., March 31, at Gaelic Park.
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