With just two games left in the season, Manhattan (2-2 MAAC, 4-9) just has to beat Detroit (2-2 MAAC, 5-6) on April 19th to clinch the final spot in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament. If the Jaspers lose, they are eliminated from postseason contention.

Just a week ago, the Jaspers season didn’t look to promising. The Jaspers lost to Canisius, 4-9, on April 5th and had just two wins all season. But Manhattan doubled its win total in just four days after winning at Lafayette and handling Monmouth at home.

Ryan Payton has been a big reason when the Jaspers win. Payton has 17 goals this season, but 14 of them have come when his team is on the winning end. If Manhattan beats Detroit this weekend, look for Payton to be a big reason why.

Another player to watch will be Shayne Adams of Detroit who is one of the top goal scorers in the MAAC. Adams has 29 goals this season.

Manhattan is 3-2 all-time against Detroit. The two teams met last season and the Jaspers lost 8-14.

Although the Jaspers are just one win away from clinching a spot in the tournament, there performances have been far from dominating. Three of the team’s four wins have come by one goal, while its only win by more than one goal came against winless Monmouth, the worst team in the MAAC.

Despite what happened in the past, the Manhattan can secure its first trip to the tournament since 2010 and look to win its first MAAC championship since 2002.