RIVERDALE, NY – The Manhattan Jaspers Men's Lacrosse team (3-10, 1-6 MAAC) came away with its first conference victory of the campaign against the Golden Griffins of Canisius University (3-10, 2-5 MAAC) by a score of 9-6 inside Gaelic Park on Saturday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Green and White began the morning by honoring a dozen Jasper student athletes, including Matthew Bove, Sean Shelko, Connor White, Casey Klossner, Aidan McCabe, Jack Cianciolo, Andy Giandonato, Gavin Wolf, Darian Johnstone, Matthew Cleary, Ethan Barlag, and Liam Peabody.
- After the Golden Griffins struck first two minutes in, the Jaspers responded quickly off a Canisius turnover, and Michael Medici found Sean Shelko for the first marker of the morning.
- The Jaspers surrendered two goals to Canisius and fell behind by two before another successful clear turned into Aiden Kane finding the back of the net to narrow their deficit to just one.
- In the second stanza, Manhattan controlled the frame with three goals in a span of two and a half minutes, with Thomas White scoring on the man advantage, before finding the back of the net for the second time in less than a minute.
- Nearly a minute and a half later, Shelko added his second of the game to go ahead by two, off another Canisius turnover.
- Manhattan continued the third quarter the same way it played in the second stanza, with another two goals to open the first seven minutes of the frame, courtesy of Jack Miller and Sean Shelko, to widen its advantage to four.
- Off Ryan Beller's three saves in the early portion of the fourth quarter, the Jaspers took full advantage with a quartet of attempts, with Connor White's attempt finding the back of the net for the eighth goal of the game and doubling the lead.
- Late in the fourth quarter, the Green and White put the final touches on its first conference win of the season with Connor Engel netting the team's ninth goal off another costly Canisius turnover.
STATS AND NOTES
- Redshirt junior attack Sean Shelko paced the Green and White with three goals on nine shots. Five of which were on target. Shelko also finished his Gaelic Park career with one caused turnover.
- Sophomore midfielder Thomas White scored twice on eight shots, five on target, and scooped one ground ball.
- Redshirt sophomore midfielder Aiden Kane recorded one goal and a team-high three assists on two shots and one on target.
- Junior attack Connor Engel logged one goal on three shots and two on target in the victory over Canisius.
- Junior attack Tyler Mosca supplied an assist on one shot on goal and scooped three ground balls.
- Freshman defender Michael Medici registered one assist, three ground balls, and caused one turnover.
- Redshirt sophomore midfielder Jack Miller posted one goal and one assist on two shots, with one on target.
- Redshirt junior attack Connor White added a goal on as many shots on the morning.
- As a team, Manhattan logged 28 of 30 clear attempts, while capitalizing on one extra-man opportunity in four tries.
QUOTES FROM THE JASPERS:
Head Coach Doug Sage: "We are proud of the high effort level and connectivity of our team in today's big MAAC win. Our players worked hard all week to be ready to compete for four full quarters and focused on executing at a high level in all areas of the field."
"It is always special for our seniors to be able to celebrate together with their families and friends after a hard-earned win on Senior Day."
NEXT UP:
The Jaspers conclude their campaign on Wednesday, April 22, when the Green and White visit the Bobcats of Quinnipiac University, beginning at 3 p.m. from the Quinnipiac Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium. The contest can be viewed for free on Quinnipiac All Access.
Follow Manhattan Jaspers' Men's Lacrosse on X (@ManhattanMLAX) and Instagram (@ManhattanLax)
