DURHAM, N.C. – Manhattan led, 2-1, after the first quarter at No. 2 Duke before the Blue Devils went on to win 17-7 in the season opener for the Jaspers.
No. 2 Duke (3-0) scored six goals to open the second quarter to take a 7-2 lead. Manhattan got it to 7-4 after halftime with the first goal of the third before another five-goal run by the Blue Devils was the difference.
Kyle Gucwa tied the game at one and then gave Manhattan (0-1) a 2-1 lead with two first-quarter tallies.
Brendan Krebs made 12 saves in the first half and finished with 19. The 2021 MAAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year kept the Jaspers within striking distance. The 19 are two off his career-best of 21 from 2019 against NJIT.
The Blue Devils extended the lead to 12-4 before the Jaspers got two goals inside 90 seconds late in the third. Gucwa completed his hat trick with a shot from across midfield.
Jake Nicolosi followed with his first of the season.
Gucwa finished with four goals.
Tadhg O'Riordan and
Liam Walshe were on the scoresheet for the Jaspers.
Dyson Williams had four goals for Duke, who had 11 different players score.
The Jaspers return to action at home on Wednesday at 3 p.m. against VMI.
