John Bernardi scores a free kick against Canisius.
GOJASPERS.COM / COURTESY
By Emmanouel Sofillas, Asst. Sports Editor
Women’s Volleyball
Manhattan University lost 3-0 to the Iona Gaels in Wednesday night’s women’s volleyball match-up. After a tough first set, the Jaspers fought back in the second set, taking a 15-6 lead, but Iona came back to win the next two sets and the match.
Iona started the match strong, scoring five of the first seven points. MU briefly led 13-10, but Iona went on several scoring runs to win the first set 25-20, with the Jaspers losing the last three points due to errors.
In the second set, MU got off to a good start, leading 12-4 and building a nine-point advantage. However, Iona came back with a 10-1 run to tie the game at 16. Both teams traded points, but Iona won the set 25-23, helped by Mackenzie Wiggins’ four kills during their run. In the third set, Iona stayed in control, though the Jaspers tied the game at 21 after a disputed call. Iona still managed to close out the set 25-21 to win the match.
Maike Bertens earned her fifth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 kills, and freshman Lizzy Kovach added 9 digs. Iona was led by Wiggins with 11 kills and 13 digs, while Mija Jegers had 13 kills and 9 digs. Jaylyn Simon contributed 32 assists for the Gaels.
Men’s Soccer
MU took control of their game against Canisius, winning 3-0 at Gaelic Park on the afternoon of Sept. 28. The Jaspers scored with goals from John Bernardi in the 30th minute, Sebastiano Musu in the 37th, and Tony Yeboah in the 78th, while controlling the pace of the game.
The Jaspers started strong, keeping most of the possession and shutting down Canisius’ attacks. Defender Nassim Akki played a key role, marking Canisius forward Ely Sidibe throughout the match.
Bernardi scored the first goal with a free kick from over 20 yards out, leaving Canisius goalie Jack Petrie unable to stop it. MU continued to press, with fullbacks Enseh Sanneh and Noah Boyce adding pressure. Akki made a long pass from near midfield that found Musu, who headed it into the net to make it 2-0 in the 37th minute.
Yeboah added the final goal in the 78th minute after receiving a pass from Henry Hamilton and easily beating Petrie. Manhattan outshot Canisius 15-10 and controlled 63% of the possession.
Women’s Soccer
MU and Mount St. Mary’s ended in a 0-0 tie on Wednesday afternoon at Waldron Family Stadium. The tie earned the Jaspers their fifth point in the MAAC season after four conference games.
MU controlled much of the second half, especially in the last 15 minutes. Olivia McMaster had a shot saved by Mount goalkeeper Adelaide Paredes in the 84th minute, and with just 37 seconds left, Amaya Hill’s shot from the top of the box went over the goal.
The Jaspers outshot Mount St. Mary’s 22-4, with a 15-1 advantage in the second half. They also earned 15 corner kicks, while the Mountaineers only had one. MU had nine shots on goal compared to just one from Mount St. Mary’s. Sami Derrico, Arancha Antunes, Julia Nicholas, and McMaster each had two shots on target.
Goalkeeper Molly Brunk only needed to make one save, thanks to a strong defense. She is now tied for the MAAC lead with six shutouts.