West Long Branch, N.J. (September 1, 2006)- In the opening game of the Soccer Post/Monmouth University Soccer Classic, host Monmouth downed Manhattan, 2-0, this afternoon on The Great Lawn.
Both squads had scoring chances in the opening stanza, with Manhattan's best opportunity coming in the 25th minute of play, when the Jaspers rattled off three consecutive shots, with the first one getting blocked by a Hawk defender, the second one saved by MU goaltender Daniel Schenkel and the third one sailing over the goal.
The Hawks' Andreas Klang scored the first goal of the game at the 32:23 mark, beating Manhattan keeper John Ciano from 20 yards out. The goal would be the only scoring in the first half, in what was an even opening stanza, statistically, as Monmouth held a slight, 6-4, lead in shots.
Monmouth turned up the offensive pressure in the second half, and, after a Manhattan red card put the visitors down a player, Hawk senior Steven Holloway collected a rebound off a Chris Ell shot and buried it for an insurance goal at the 87:52 mark.
Monmouth out shot Manhattan 19-7 in the contest, while the Hawks also held a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks. Adam Kiley, Kyle Lauchmen, Adolfo Rivera, and Sean Morin each tallied a shot on goal for the Jaspers.
Daniel Schenkel tallied his second consecutive shutout of the season, stopping four Manhattan shots. Ciano finished with eight saves for the Jaspers.
Manhattan concludes play in the Classic on Sunday, September 3, battling Adelphi. Due to impending inclement weather, the game will not be played at Monmouth as originally scheduled. Game location and time will be determined tonight.