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Emmanouel Sofillas, Managing Editor

The Manhattan University flag football team wrapped up tryouts recently and is turning its attention to the season ahead. Now, in just its second year of competition, the Jaspers are aiming to build on their early progress with a deeper roster, more discipline and a stronger sense of direction.

The program itself is still young, but players said it already feels like the group has taken major steps forward. Last season gave the Jaspers their first taste of tournament play, and with that came lessons about what works on the field and what doesn’t. For junior mechanical engineering major Matt Coyle, much of this season will come down to shaping the team’s attitude.

“The most important thing for any sports team is not the want for a win, as most people assume, it’s the hate for loss,” Coyle wrote to The Quadrangle. “I think once that gets spread through the team, that would erupt us into a better team.”

Coyle said his goal is to see MU reach the championship game at its Maryland tournament while playing as many games as possible during the year. For him, the team’s ceiling is not just about talent but about learning to respond to challenges together.

The Jaspers lost several players following the end of last season, which Coyle admitted left some holes. He said he believes the program has made up for those losses by bringing in new faces who are committed to giving everything they have.

“We added a troop of very athletic guys who are willing to put 110 percent and want to be part of a winning team,” Coyle wrote. “We are going with more simplicity to not confuse anyone on the field.”

That simpler approach, he added, is meant to keep the players focused on execution rather than complicated play-calling. For a program that is still in its early years, clarity can be just as important as creativity.

“We’ve learned a lot over the past two years during our games and practices, and I think this is going to be a culmination of the work we have done,” Coyle wrote. “The results of that should be pretty exciting.”

Sophomore Anthony Mantineo said his sights are firmly set on tournament play in Maryland. Last year, the Jaspers came up short of their goal, and Mantineo told The Quadrangle that he wants to see the team break through this time around.

“My hopes for this season is to make it farther than we did last time in our tournament in Maryland,” Mantineo wrote to The Quadrangle. “I hope that we can take it all.”

To get there, he said Manhattan has worked on key adjustments, particularly on defense.

“One improvement that we made was to have a defensive scheme and incorporate new coverages,” Mantineo wrote.

Defense has been a point of emphasis for the team since last season, when opponents were able to exploit breakdowns in coverage. Mantineo said the changes will give the Jaspers a stronger identity and allow them to compete against more polished programs.

While wins and losses are important, not every player views success purely in terms of results. Sophomore Gavin Constantine said the best part of flag football has been the camaraderie and the opportunity to build new connections.

“The most exciting thing about the team for me is being able to form new friendships with the new members,” Constantine wrote to The Quadrangle.

That bond, he explained, makes practices more enjoyable and games more meaningful. For a team still carving out its place at Manhattan University, the friendships may be as valuable as the touchdowns.

As the season begins, MU’s players say they are motivated not only by the chance to compete, but also by the opportunity to shape the future of a young program. They know the challenges ahead will be steep, but with new recruits, the Jaspers believe they are positioned to take a major step forward.

*Editor’s Note: Grace Cardinal contributed to reporting.