Emma Morealle sends spike in game against Iona. VINCENT DUSOVIC / COURTESY
Andrew Mannion, Sports Editor
Men’s Soccer
The Jaspers men’s soccer team faced off against St. Peters University on Wednesday. Thanks to a late equalizing goal from Paul Abbatiello, Manhattan was able to secure a draw, and keep them at .500 against the MAAC.
The Jaspers looked to attack early on, and were able to send one shot by James Lucas, which went high of the goal. St. Peters sent a resounding response, as they would kick the next seven shots of the game, forcing the Jaspers’ goalkeeper, Ludvig Malberg, to make five saves to keep the game knotted going into half.
St. Peters found their groove early into the second half, with the Peacocks’ Connall McErlain finding the back of the net with a header. Capitalizing off the shot, St. Peters found themselves up 1-0 early in the half.
The Jaspers responded, again seeing Lucas fire off three more shots of his own. As the 74th minute came, Redshirt junior midfielder Paul Abbatiello found a header of his own that found the back of the net. His first collegiate goal was a big one for the Jaspers, as it was the equalizing and final goal of the game leaving the score at 1-1.
With Malberg making six saves on the Peacocks’ 15 shots, the Jaspers were able to hold on for the tie. They remain the owners of the last MAAC playoff spot, and have just two final games of their regular season.
Women’s Soccer
The Jaspers women’s soccer team lost their season finale against Quinnipiac University. Despite out-shooting the Bobcats, the Jaspers fell against the university, which remains undefeated in conference play by a score of 2-0.
Quinnipiac started quick, with Morgan Cupo netting her 11th goal of the year just four minutes into the game. With the Bobcats up 1-0 early, the Jaspers tried to answer quickly.
Redshirt Junior Amaya Hill sent the next shot which missed just wide. The Jaspers continued to shoot, but the next three shots were all blocked. This brought the game to halftime with a score of 1-0.
The Jaspers came out in the second half with some good looks. Junior Olivia McMaster found herself with another great shot, but Bobcats goalkeeper Olivia Jarvis stopped it.
Although Jaspers’ star goalkeeper tallied three saves to keep Manhattan in the game, the Jaspers fell 0-2 to Quinnipiac, and brought their final record to 6-5-1 against the MAAC.
Women’s Volleyball
The MU women’s volleyball team dropped a tight game to MAAC rival Iona University on Tuesday. With a comeback to bring the game to five sets, the Jaspers lost a close game.
The Jaspers dropped the first two sets by scores of 23-25 and 21-25. With nine ties in the first set’s opening stretch, it was close from the beginning.
Manhattan followed the Gaels swings closely, but Julia Leonardo of Iona tied the score at 20–20 and went on to win the set.
The second set went in a similar direction. The Jaspers were defeated 19–19 by an ace from Emma Francesconi and dual blocks from Fiona VanDyke and Katie Powers. Iona took a two-set lead after closing with a 6–2 run.
In the third, Manhattan answered. Abby Morreale and Francesconi combined for a block that turned the tide. VanDyke and Powers drove a 3–0 surge after falling behind 11–7. Kills by Morreale and Kaczynska set up a late edge, and a Teresa Garza ace with a VanDyke kill secured the set.
The fifth and deciding set went Iona’s way, with the Jaspers dropping it 15-8. This game brings the Jaspers to a record of 1-11 against the MAAC, with a home match against Siena up next.