Marist women’s soccer (2-6-1) tied an opponent for the first time this season, as they drew Metro foe Manhattan (4-2-1) 0-0 at Tenney Stadium.
The Red Foxes will see this game as a missed opportunity, as they played 11 on 10 the last twenty minutes of the game, after a Manhattan red card. From that point, Marist rifled seven shots, though only two were on net, as the Jasper’s defense still gave them trouble despite a player down.
While neither team was able to find the back of the net, the Red Foxes were by far the better team offensively, as they shot the ball 17 times to Manhattan’s six, their most in a game this season, though only four were on net.
“We really just have got to put one in the back of the net, but creating opportunities, I always say getting inside the 18, the game is played inside the 18, so we were able to get there and make opportunities,” said Marist head coach Nicole Pacapelli Ciano.
Tonight was faculty and staff night, and dozens were honored, taking a picture with the team at halftime.
Marist came into tonight at their lowest point in the young conference season after losing their first Metro game 2-1 to Quinnipiac to drop to 2-1 in the Metro.
Manhattan has gone 1-0-1 thus far in conference play, beating Niagara 1-0 last time out.
One of the biggest surprises of the Metro this season has been the play of Manhattan’s senior forward Lauren Ahearn, who ranks top 10 in the conference in goals with four. Before this season, she had only scored three goals in her career.
Marist junior goalkeeper Samantha Graff came off her best game of the season versus Quinnipiac, recording a season-high seven saves. Tonight was another solid game from her, holding Manhattan scoreless and recording three saves.
On the other side, Manhattan has been one of the best teams in the conference defensively, allowing only four goals all season. They are led in net by senior goalkeeper Molly Brunk, who saved four shots tonight.
The first half was marred by mistakes for both teams, leading to set-piece shots for the opponents. Early in the half, the Jaspers fouled the Red Foxes two times in the first ten minutes, and finished with nine fouls overall.
The Red Foxes were able to avoid making similar mistakes in the first 45, but did concede three corner kicks to Manhattan before the half.
Marist got the better opportunity to score first when junior forward Arianna Mullin had a run in the 12th minute from the right side of the box, but she missed wide to the same side.
Some of the best shots of the day for the Red Foxes came from sophomore forward Ella Bryan. In the 14th minute, she took a free kick from 25 yards out, but missed just high of the net.
The second half started with Marist’s sophomore forward Mia Katchouni taking two shots in quick succession in the second half, one from inside the box, which Bruck saved, and another off a cross that she missed wide right.
This was a theme for the Red Foxes in the half, as they peppered Manhattan with 11 shots in the half, though only three were on goal.
The leading shot taker for the Jaspers was senior midfielder Olivia McMaster with four. The second half started with her getting the best look for Manhattan, as she was open in front of the net off a cross, but missed the ball in the 49th minute.
In the 59th minute, Bryan took one of the closest shots of the day; from the top left of the box, she shot, but it just hit the top right post, and the game stayed scoreless.
“I think a lot of the runs we had off the ball created space for me so that I was kinda able to take those shots, so I think it was a group effort,” said Bryan.
Discipline continued to be an issue for Manhattan, even off the field, as in the 69th minute, head coach Brendan Lawler was shown a yellow card after exchanging words with the official.
A minute later, Manhattan’s freshman midfielder Logan Smith came down hard on Marist’s junior defender Sophia Dorsey. After initially handing her a yellow card, a video review determined it was an expulsion-worthy offense, and she was sent off with a red card.
Bryan had a chance to break the deadlock with just seven minutes left to play and a player advantage on the field, but Bruck made the save to keep the match scoreless. The Red Foxes took two corners in the last 10 minutes, though neither resulted in goals.
Marist continues Metro play on Saturday night, hosting Niagara at 7 p.m.
Edited by Ryan Eichem
Graphic by Jaylen Rizzo
Photo by Joe Coppola
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