Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Riding a three-goal effort from senior attacker Justin Jensen and two-goal performances from four different Jaspers, the Manhattan men's lacrosse team defeated Wagner 15-8 Wednesday afternoon at Wagner Stadium.
Recording their highest point total of the season, the Jaspers (1-7) opened the contest with three-consecutive goals and never trailed in picking up their first win of the season against the Seahawks (0-5).
Freshman goalkeeper Rich Akapnitis recorded 15 saves for his first collegiate victory while Wagner's Nicholas Gabaldi compiled 19 saves in the defeat.
Continuing their strong play early in contests, Manhattan built a 3-0 lead with 4:47 remaining in the first quarter behind three even tallies from Jensen, classmate Brett Miranda and freshman attacker Marcel Godino.
Following back-to-back goals by the Seahawks to cut the deficit to 3-2 with 9:19 left in the second, Manhattan rallied back with a pair of key goals. Senior attacker Kelly Mahon and redshirt freshman Brian McGrath each found the net in the last 6:30 of the half to put the Jaspers up 5-2 heading into the break. McGrath, Godino, sophomore Tyler Jarvis and Miranda each posted multi-goal efforts in the contest.
In the third quarter, the Kelly Green and white kept up the intensity, scoring two out of the gates from Jensen and freshman midfielder Brett Madarasz to expand their lead to 7-2 with 12:12 remaining in the quarter. One of their most prolific 15 minute intervals of the season, the Jaspers outscored the Seahawks 7-4 in the frame to build a 12-6 advantage entering the fourth.
Finishing strong, Manhattan found the net three more times in the final quarter, including the third of the contest for Jensen and the second for Jarvis and McGrath to pull away for the 15-8 victory.
One of the more complete games of the 2011 campaign, the Jaspers held advantages over the Seahawks in shots (43-38), ground balls (25-18) and face-offs (21-4). Manhattan was 1-4 on extra-man opportunities while Wagner was 1-5.
Manhattan returns to action Saturday afternoon when they travel south to take on no. 15 Villanova in a big non-conference matchup. Opening face-off is set for 1 p.m.
To folllow Manhattan Athletics on Twitter, go to twitter.com/GoJaspers or visit Manhattan's Facebook fan page.
