New Rochelle, N.Y. (October 7, 2007) -- “I know our luck is going to change; right now we are playing well enough to win, we just need a break or two here or there.” That was Manhattan men's soccer coach Michael Swanwick's assessment after the Jaspers lost to Iona 3-1 at Iona.
The Jaspers went down 1-0 on a late first half goal by Iona senior midfielder Michael Ferenci, but then came back to tie the score at 1-1 on a 60th minute header by Jasper senior midfielder Dan Cipriano off a nice cross from junior midfielder Josh Swett. Minute later, Manhattan looked to have taken the lead, but a shot from about eight yards out by junior striker Fernando Londono was just cleared off the line by an Iona defender.
“Had that goal gone an inch either way, we take the lead and the game would have been much different,” Coach Swanwick said.
Shortly after that clearance, Iona scored on a counter-attack with Iona striker Ali Lo scoring toe-poking a shot into the net just as he collided on a 50-50 ball with Jasper goalkeeper John Ciano. Then, with the Jaspers pushing offensive players to try to even the score, Iona got an unassisted insurance goal from Giovanno Destasio.
Manhattan and Iona were basically even in shots (13-12 Iona) and even on corner kicks (4-4). Jasper goalkeeper John made four saves.
The Jaspers come home Saturday to take on St. Peter's with a kick-off at 7 p.m. at Gaelic Park.
