Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. – In their first conference game of the season, the Manhattan Jaspers fell 10-7 to the Jacksonville Dolphins on Saturday in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play. Manhattan (2-7, 0-1 MAAC) trailed throughout, forcing three ties but was unable to take the lead at any point.
Jacksonville (4-3, 2-0 MAAC) started off the scoring quickly as Conor Igoe netted the first goal of the game 49 seconds into the contest. The Jaspers were answer back though as Tyler Jarvis finished a feed from Marcel Godino, who had a career high five assists. The Dolphins then reeled off three straight goals as Quint Miller, Cameron Mann, and James Trentini also registered scores within three and a half minutes. Jarvis quickly tried to regain some momentum at the end of the period, scoring his second goal with 12 seconds remaining.
The second period was a defensive struggle, as both teams couldn't find the back of the net through the first eight minutes. Then, with 6:29 to play until halftime Ryan Payton scored the first of his two goals to bring Manhattan within one. Payton followed a minute later with a man-up goal to knot the game up at 4-4. However, Jacksonville went on a brief spurt of their own with two goals in 63 secoinds as Kyle Rebman and Mann gave their squad a two goal lead once more. Godino and Jarvis connected once again to send the game into halftime with Jacksonville leading 6-5.
After the break, the Dolphins added another goal less than a minute into the third to go up 7-5. The Jaspers would begin their attempt at a comeback as Jarvis registered his game high fourth goal with 12:47 to play in the period. Exactly six minutes later, Godino added a goal to his score sheet to pull Manhattan even. Unfortunately, the Jaspers would be unable to find another goal for the remaining 21:47 of the contest.
Jacksonville scored two more times in the third, and again in the fourth, for the three goal win. The Dolphins were also very strong in controlling possession, reeling in 43 ground balls to Manhattan's 26. The Jaspers also struggled clearing the ball, being successful of 11 of 17 attempts while Jacksonville was 15-17. Manhattan also committed 20 turnovers while forcing just 12.
Goalie play was key on both sides throughout. Junior Rich Akapnitis made 14 total stops, many of them sprawling to keep Manhattan tied, while Pete DeLuca made 11 saves for Jacksonville. Igoe led all Dolphins in scoring with four points, including three goals, while Godino led all players with six points.
Manhattan is back in action on Sat., March 30 when they travel to Loudonville, N.Y. to take on Siena.
