Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan women's soccer team did not disappoint the Jasper faithful in its home opener Friday at Gaelic Park. The Jaspers took a 2-1 victory over Lafayette (2-2-1) as junior forward Janie Schlauder in the game winning goal in the 88th minute off a precise corner kick from senior back Allison Pfeiffer. The victory marked the third straight home opening win for Manhattan (2-2) during the Brendan Lawler head coaching era.
All three goals of the contest were scored in the final 34 minutes of action after a defensive stalemate in the first half, which featured dueling shutout bids from Manhattan senior goalkeeper Kara Davis and Lafayette goalie Lauren Smedley. Freshman Kristen Skonieczny made her Jasper debut playing the final 45 minutes between the pipes en route to her first career victory.
It was in the 57th minute when Manhattan broke the scoreless tie with junior midfielder Aislinn McIlvenny burying a penalty kick after the Leopards were called for a handball in the box. It was the second career goal and first in a Jasper uniform from the transfer from Charleston Southern.
Lafayette refused to go away quietly as they continued to push forward and eventually connected on the equalizing goal in the 88th minute. The Leopards got their break when freshman back Madison Murray sent a corner kick into the box that found its way to sophomore forward Alyssa Finelli. Skonieczny mistimed her jump to knock the ball down and Finelli was on the doorstep to head it home.
The Jaspers retaliated in the blink of an eye on the opposite end of the field, courtesy of Pfeiffer's pinpoint accuracy on her corner kick. She dropped the ball right on top of Schlauder who was fighting for position in front of the goal. It ricocheted off her back and into the right side of the net. It was Pfeiffer's team leading second assist of the year and the first goal for Schlauder.
Smedley made a game high five saves in the losing effort. Davis stopped three shots over her 45 minute stint in net, while Skonieczny posted one save.
Manhattan put seven of its 10 shots on goal in the contest. Lafayette fired 11 shots, but only five were on goal.
Manhattan looks to carry its momentum on the road in its match at Rhode Island on Sunday. The Jaspers kick off with the Rams at 1 p.m. in Kingston, R.I.
