RIVERDALE, NY – The Manhattan Jaspers Women's Soccer team (4-2), in its first Metro Conference game inside Gaelic Park, took home a crucial victory against the Purple Eagles of Niagara (5-2) by a final score of 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was the visitors applying the pressure in the opening minutes, with Molly Brunk recording a save in the seventh.
- Baileigh Johnson clocked the first shot on target for the Jaspers, forcing a save from Niagara's Julia Poissant just shy of the 22nd minute.
- In the 32nd minute, Estelle Raspe completed a stellar cross into the offensive zone, with team captain Lauren Ahearn waiting for the feed and striking home the game's opening goal in favor of the hosts.
- The Purple Eagles only generated one more shot on goal before the halftime break as Manhattan held the edge after 45 minutes of play.
- Manhattan revved up the scoring chances in the second half, with Olivia McMaster forcing a shot just to the right of the post near the 60th minute.
- Johnson and Ahearn joined the party within a few minutes, each forcing a save from Poissant by the 64th.
- The newcomer Johnson once again tallied a shot on target two minutes later, with Poissant consistently having to hold the line for Niagara.
- McMaster tried to tack on some insurance in the 83rd, forcing a team save from the Purple Eagles.
- Manhattan's defense proved to be an anchor for the squad, allowing just one shot in the second half from Niagara and grabbing their first conference win of the season inside Gaelic Park.
STATS AND NOTES
- Senior forward Lauren Ahearn scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season, the lone and winning score for the Jaspers.
- Senior goalkeeper Molly Brunk only faced four shots throughout the contest, making one save and securing the 21st shutout of her storied career.
- Freshman forward Baileigh Johnson led her teammates in shots on target, collecting three of the team's six.
- Manhattan dominated Niagara in the shots category, winning 10-4 overall with a 6-1 advantage on target.
NEXT UP
- Head Coach Brendan Lawler and the Jaspers will be back in action later this week, on Wednesday Sept. 23 when they hit the road to take on the Red Foxes of Marist. Action is scheduled to get underway from Poughkeepsie at 7:00 p.m., and can be streamed live on ESPN+ with a paid subscription.
Follow Manhattan Women's Soccer on Instagram and X (@JaspersWSOC).
