Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y.- The Manhattan women's lacrosse team used a six-goal effort from junior Chrissy Gutenberger and a 12-3 second period advantage to cruise to a 19-8 victory over Long Island University Wednesday afternoon at Gaelic Park.
Battling snow and frigid conditions, the Lady Jaspers (3-4) put together their best offensive outburst of the season, getting scores from eight different players in defeating the Blackbirds (0-6).
"Today was a must win for us," Coach Victoria Latino said. "We had to come out and play together and we did that. This was a great victory going into our first weekend of MAAC play.
Opening the game with a lead, Manhattan freshman Kelsey Rehain made it 1-0 after finishing on an assist from senior Tara Convery at the 25:40 mark of the first. LIU would counter with two quick strikes from Shakoya Smith and Katie Williams to take a 2-1 lead with 18:32 remaining.
After Manhattan junior BrieAnna Spatarella tied the game at 2-all with 17:34 left and Blackbird attacker Caitlin Farrell regained a 3-2 advantage at the 17:03 mark, the Lady Jaspers would score five-straight to acquire the decisive edge needed to lead the rest of the way.
Using three consecutive goals from Gutenberger and two from freshman Carly Eskenazi, Manhattan built a 7-3 lead with 9:44 remaining in the half. LIU would counter with two tallies before break to make it 7-5 after the opening 30 minutes of play.
In the second period, the Lady Jaspers would put the game on ice. After Annie Kalata cut the Blackbird deficit to 7-6 with 28:12 remaining, Manhattan would score 12 of the next 14 goals to cement their third victory of the season and the second at home.
Getting onto the score sheet in a big way, Eskenazi had three goals, while Rehain , Convery, Spatarella and junior Elizabeth Dugan each had two.
Between the pipes, sophomore Julia DiBernardo made seven saves to pickup the victory. LIU's Jacquel Simonian made six saves in the defeat.
Overall, the Lady Jaspers led the Blackbirds in shots (32-26), ground balls (26-21), draw controls (17-12), clears (17-14) and free position opportunities (2-6/1-7).
Manhattan will open Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play Sunday, when they head to New Rochelle, N.Y. to take on the Iona Gaels. First draw is set for 11 a.m.
