FAIRFIELD, CT– The Manhattan Jaspers Men's Lacrosse team (2-2, 0-0 MAAC) were edged in overtime by the Fairfield Stags (4-0, 0-0 CAA) by a score of 8-7 inside Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Standing tall early was graduate goaltender Connor Hapward, who staved off three early shots in the first minute of the contest.
- Off a clear attempt by the Jaspers, Manhattan got situated and put early pressure on the Stags, where Drew Hiner tallied his fifth goal of the season and opened the scoring for the game.
- After another save by Hapward, the Jaspers, in transition, were able to go ahead of Fairfield. Thomas White found Sean Shelko for his fifth goal of the season and first of the afternoon.
- The Stags continued to put pressure on the Jaspers, but Manhattan never backed down. With 90 seconds remaining in the first quarter, off yet another save from Hapward, the Jaspers cleared, and Shelko found Connor Engel to put his squad back in front to end the first quarter.
- After trailing by a pair of goals, the Jaspers continued to show its resilience, with another two saves that turned into an Aiden Kane strike to tie the game at four.
- Three minutes into the third quarter, junior transfer Matthew Cleary found Sean Shelko for his second goal of the game to go ahead of the Stags once more.
- After Fairfield tied the game at five, the Stags pushed again but were denied by Hapward. On the ensuing play, Alex Bales found the back of the net for the team's sixth goal of the game.
- Six minutes into the final stanza of regulation, Drew Hiner would find Sean Shelko to convert his third goal of the game.
- The Stags would eventually tie the game at seven and take the contest in overtime roughly one minute in.
STATS AND NOTES
- Graduate goaltender Connor Hapward set a career-high with 19 saves on the afternoon after facing 47 shots in the contest.
- Junior attack Sean Shelko tied a career-high with three goals scored in a single game at Fairfield this afternoon. The Lenape, NJ product led all Jaspers with seven shots on the day and caused a pair of turnovers. In 2024, Shelko set a lone career-high with three goals in a single game vs. Quinnipiac on March 27. The Jaspers won the game 15-12.
- Sophomore midfielder Aidan Kane netted his fifth goal of the season, caused one turnover, and logged four shots on the afternoon.
- Senior midfielder Drew Hiner continued his scoring streak of three games with a goal and made it four straight. The Glen Ridge, NJ native logged two shots and picked up two ground balls.
- Sophomore attack Connor Engel continued his scoring streak of three games with a goal and made it four straight on two attempted shots.
QUOTES FROM THE JASPERS:
Head Coach
Doug Sage: "Our team competed hard all game against a top undefeated team in the country and we will learn from this tough loss to get ready for the next one."
NEXT UP:
Manhattan opens its 2025 home schedule on Saturday, March 1, with a visit from nearby Stony Brook University and the Seawolves, beginning at noon from Gaelic Park. The contest will be viewable on GoJaspers.com.
