By RikkiLynn Shields, Editor
This past Saturday, the Manhattan College Women’s Soccer team versed Rider University on their home turf, celebrating senior day and finishing the regular season with a 1-1 draw.
As the team honored its five graduating seniors before kicking off the match, (Dylan Burns of Manchester, Conn., Emily Center of Altamont, N.Y., Erica Modena of Massapequa, N.Y., Maria Clemente of Troy, N.Y., and Nicole Aylmer of Garnerville, N.Y.), Center made a comeback by starting the match, after being out for the season due to an injury. After beginning the match, Center left the field to a screaming crowd in the stands.
After the first half of the game came to an end without either team scoring, Manhattan scored in the 65th minute of the game. Junior Emma Saul’s shot was blocked by Rider, but Modena was able to get a hold of the ball in front of the net to rebound Saul’s blast, and kick it past the keeper. Saul leads the team with six assists.
Modena’s goal was the 23rd goal of the season for Manhattan, and the 31st goal of her career, moving her into second place in the all-time Manhattan annals. She’s recorded at least one point in eight of the nine MAAC matches this year, and has 74 points overall.
Rider played tough, and was able to score in the 85th minute of the game. The game tied when Rider’s Michelle Iacono scored from 25 yards out of the left corner off of a pass made from Rider’s Shannon Kelly, making the score 2-2. Rider’s Iacono and Manhattan’s Modena finished the regular season tied for second in the MAAC with eight goals overall.
While Manhattan went unbeaten at home during MAAC play (4-0-1) for the second time in three years, they are currently the No. 2 seed in the upcoming MAAC Championship. They will face the winner of No. 7 Fairfield and No. 10 Iona, who play Sunday, October 29th at 11:15 a.m.
With over 300 fans at the game, the attention was most definitely on the MC seniors. Aylmer had a section of over 60 people cheering her on. They were all seen standing up during the entire match.
Along with the seniors, there was great effort seen by the entire women’s team. Sophomore Olivia Printy made seven saves notching the draw, highlighted by a sprawling save made in the 87th minute of the game.
Manhattan leads the all-time series by a 9-8-6 count. The team will be traveling to Disney for the MAAC championship.