Box Score
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – Freshman striker Daniel Laguna Kennedy recorded his third multi-goal game of the season aiding Manhattan to a 3-1 triumph over Siena in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play on Saturday afternoon. The win snapped a two match losing streak for the Jaspers (3-9-1, 3-2-1 MAAC) and was their first victory against Saints (6-7-1, 2-3-1 MAAC) since the 2003 season.
Laguna Kennedy wasted no time getting the scoring started, taking advantage of a Siena misplay in the eight minute. After a free kick was left loose in the box, the rookie capitalized and fired a shot through traffic that beat Adam Myers. Both teams then went back and forth, testing one another's goalkeeper. Alex Coates McDowall watched three shots go off the mark following the opening tally before Myers had to make consecutive saves on Reese Akers and Laguna Kennedy in less than a minute.
With Manhattan continuing to put the pressure on, they earned two corners late in the half. In the 44th minute, Dominic Chavez played the ball out to Tommy Amos on a corner and then crossed the ball to the far left post. Alex Shackley was able to find the volley and put it home for his first goal of the year. Siena tried to get on the board before half, but their lone chance was denied when they were called offside.
The second half started without much change from the first as Laguna Kennedy was able to quickly add another tally. In the 58th minute Daniel Festa passed the ball through the middle of the field, giving Laguna Kennedy a 1-on-1 opportunity. He then broke to his right and fired to the near post for his second goal of the match and a 3-0 lead.
The Saints continued to find some form of offense but were consistently denied by the Jaspers defense. James Beeston took it upon himself to try and light a fire for his squad, taking the first three shots of the half for Siena. Two of those would be off the mark with the third being saved by Coates McDowall. Things would get even more difficult in the 79th minute after Matt Hemsley was sent off with a red card. Eventually, Siena's efforts would pay off when Lewis Davenport tapped in a loose ball off a corner kick in the 85th minute for the team's lone goal.
He would look for another in the 88th with a header but Coates McDowall was up for the task, making his fourth save of the match. Myers finished the contest with three saves, all in the first half. Despite outshooting their opponent nine to six in the first, the Jaspers ended up being outshot 12-11 for the game.
Manhattan will return home for two straight games beginning on Wed., Oct. 30 when they host Monmouth. The team also hosts Marist on Sat., Nov. 2 at Gaelic Park.
Game Notes: Laguna Kennedy now has seven goals on the season, the most by any Jasper since Fernando Londono scored eight in 2008…with the win, Manhattan is momentarily in fourth place in the MAAC Standings with 10 points with Fairfield (9 points) and Rider (7 points) still to play. The top four teams make the conference tournament.
