SPOKANE, Wash. - In their first round matchup of the Gonzaga Nike Classic, the host Bulldogs proved too much for Manhattan defeating the Jaspers 3-0 on Friday night.
Gonzaga came out firing from kick-off, testing senior goalkeeper George Ellis with a multitude of early shots. After making an easy save on a long free kick in the third minute, Ellis showed off his athleticism with a diving hand save on a cross in the 11th minute to keep the game scoreless.
The Bulldogs would pepper the cage with Ellis continuing to make saves before Conner Bevans got in behind the defense with a one-on-one opportunity in the 23rd minute. He fired a shot low that Ellis was able to deflect but the keeper couldn't cover the rebound and Bevans capitalized on the chance for the first goal of the game.
The Jaspers (0-2-0) had very minimal chances in the first frame taking a total of three shots but were able to keep the match close and went into halftime trailing by just one.
After the break, the second half began much like the first with Gonzaga controlling possession and tempo. The Bulldogs (2-1-0) wasted little time extending their lead as Clark Phillips scored off a corner kick from Lars Ludwigs in the 49th minute.
Tempo continued to be dominated by the Bulldogs as Manhattan tried to get back into the contest. Naru Park had a brilliant chance in the 74th minute but his shot ricocheted off the post and went begging. After that play, Gonzaga took advantage of a yellow card from the Jaspers Isa Konneh on a hard tackle at midfield.
That caution would result in a Ludwigs goal after he went low left corner from the top of the 18-meter box to push the advantage to 3-0 Gonzaga.
A flurry of Manhattan shots in the final 15 minutes proved fruitless as Ryan Caballero (2-1-0) made three saves in the win. Ellis (0-1-0) finished the match with 10 saves. Gonzaga outshot the Jaspers 22 to 11 with Clark Phillips taking a game high eight with five being on goal.
The Jaspers will be back in action on Sun., Sept. 2, as they play Oregon State at 11 a.m. local time. The Beavers played to a 2-2 draw with #4 UC Santa Barbara early Friday night.