Manhattan University Athletics

2018 Season Prospectus
 
Riverdale, NY – With training camp in the rear-view window and the new turf field at Gaelic Park in place, the curtain rises on the 2018 Manhattan Women's Lacrosse season later this week.
 
Second-year Head Coach Katie McConnell enters the year with many familiar faces and a wide range of underclassmen and upperclassmen. The current roster features eight seniors, eight juniors 10 sophomores and eight freshmen; more importantly, the Jaspers return 26 players from 2017 and lose only one starter form the lineup.
 
"As opposed to last preseason, where we were learning all these new concepts, this year we've had the opportunity to just fine-tune them," said McConnell in an interview with the Jasper Sports Network. "We haven't missed a step. It's all about fine-tuning at this point."
 
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
 
2018 Roster
 
Forwards
 
While Manhattan loses its second-leading goal scorer from 2017, Darby Nolan, to graduation, the Jaspers also return plenty of firepower. Junior Molly Fitzpatrick, who scored a team-high 39 goals and 53 points, is back in the fold. Senior Sarah Lang is one of two captains for 2018 and looks to capitalize off her 41 points from a year ago.
 
Junior Jordyn DiCostanzo and sophomore Emily Englert will also see plenty of time on the front line after both appeared in 14 games last year. Freshman Grace Owens will compete for valuable minutes as well.
 
Midfielders
 
Manhattan has perhaps the most depth in the midfield unit. The Jaspers retain all of their starting midfielders from 2017. Senior Kara Hodapp joins Lang as a captain this year and is one of four players that scored 20 goals last season. Hodapp will line up with 2017 All-MAAC Rookie Team honoree Emily Sandford.
 
Senior Molly Flores (22 draw controls) and junior Caitlin Murphy (18 goals) carved out important roles last season and will look to do the same in 2018. Blauvelt native and freshman Carmella Liscio could also vie for significant action.
 
Defenders
 
The Jasper defense features two All-MAAC honorees from 2017. Leading the way is Emma Kaishian, who earned All-MAAC Second Team recognition back in May. Sophomore Hailey Siemek was a MAAC All-Rookie and also makes up the back line. Junior Jillian Calandra started every game she appeared in and figures to do the same.
 
Sophomore Susan Morad is primed to make a jump in her second season in the Kelly Green and White. Senior Katie Tucker started in 12 games last year and has provided a presence on defense in the past. Sophomore Amanda Silvestri is another name to look out for on defense.  
 
Goalkeepers
 
Starting netminder Nikki Prestiano is back between the pipes for her junior year. The Yorktown Heights native played over 900 in goal in 2017, making 160 saves. Sophomore Caitie Pluta played twice last season and made three saves in her two appearances.
 
2018 SCHEDULE
 
Full Schedule
 
Over the course of the 2018 season, Manhattan will travel almost 2,000 miles across six different states in the regular season. During the stretch, the Jaspers will play opponents from eight different conferences, including the MAAC.
 
Manhattan opens up with a road contest against the NEC's Mount St. Mary's on Saturday, February 17 at Noon. The first home game on the new turf field at Gaelic Park takes place on Saturday, February 24 at 1:00 pm when the Jaspers welcome Arizona State to Riverdale.
 
The first MAAC matchup features Manhattan and two-time defending champion Canisius on Saturday, March 24 at 11:00am. The conference home opener is on Saturday, April 7 at 9:30am versus Niagara. Senior Day is Wednesday, April 25 against Fairfield at 6:00pm.
 
COACH McCONNELL ON THE JASPER SPORTS NETWORK
 
Check out the full interview with Coach McConnell on the upcoming year below. McConnell discusses the players returning for Manhattan, the season opener and what she thinks the fans will be excited about the most for this team.