Manhattan’s women’s soccer players embrace during their 3-1 win over Wagner’s Seahawks. GOJASPERS.COM / COURTESY
Maddie Rosado, Managing / News editor
Women’s Soccer
Manhattan University’s women’s soccer team came out strong this past Sunday, defeating Wagner 3-1 at Gaelic Park to move to 2-1 in this year’s season.
The Jaspers set the tone early and never let the Seahawks into the match, piling up 18 shots to Wagner’s three and holding a commanding 7-1 edge in shots on frame. Manhattan also worked the corner flag relentlessly, forcing 10 set pieces to match its season high.
Senior captains Lauren Ahearn and Olivia McMaster each broke through for their first goals of the year. But the headliner was sophomore forward Scarlett Smith, who turned in the most productive afternoon of any Jasper, tallying a goal and an assist for three points and pushing her season total to seven.
Manhattan returns to Gaelic Park on Aug. 31 to host Delaware State, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. and the match streaming live on the Jasper Sports Network.
Men’s Soccer
It was a rough week on the road for Manhattan’s men’s soccer team, which lost both matches to open the season and sits at 0-2.
The Jaspers opened this past Sunday at Central Connecticut State and were edged 3-2 despite a spirited fight in New Britain. Freshman goalkeeper Gaspar Homar Bennasar made an immediate mark in his collegiate debut, turning aside eight of 15 shots he faced between the pipes.
At the other end, senior forward Ziv Dahan, an All-MAAC First Team selection who paced the Jaspers with seven goals a year ago, announced his return from a season-long injury layoff by finding the net for the first time since Oct. 26, 2024, and led Manhattan with three shots on target.
Junior forward Tycho van Haaren, a transfer from Pearl River Community College, added his first career goal, finishing off a feed from sophomore midfielder Pau Mascarell, who picked up the helper. Manhattan was outshot 15-10 overall and 11-5 on target but won the battle for corners, 6-3, though it was whistled for more fouls, 16-14.
The Jaspers’ misfortune continued Wednesday in Newark, where inclement weather set an ominous tone for a non-conference clash with NJIT that ultimately ended in a 2-0 shutout loss.
Manhattan returns to the pitch Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 1:00 p.m., hoping to shake off an 0-2 start.
Women’s Volleyball
Manhattan’s women’s volleyball team opened its season on the road Friday, falling in straight sets to Temple, 25-18, 25-20, 25-22, inside McGonigle Hall in Philadelphia to drop to 0-1.
Senior outside hitter Katie Powers led all Jaspers with seven kills, with sophomore Emma Francesconi (5) and redshirt sophomore Brooke Johnson (4) providing secondary punch on the outside.
Manhattan found its rhythm in the third set, hitting a season-best .269 as a team even in the losing effort. At the net, senior middle blocker Abby Morreale anchored the block party with three total stops, one solo and two assisted, while the setting duties were split between senior Emilia Kuzniar and junior Ori Briger, who combined to dish 23 of Manhattan’s 27 assists in the afternoon.
The Jaspers stay on the road for the second leg of the Cherry and White Invitational, renewing their rivalry with Fordham in another Battle of the Bronx, this time played out in the City of Brotherly Love. First serve is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29, at 5:30 p.m..