Box Score
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Nathan Stewart and Tanner Sica scored the first two goals of the season, giving the Blackbirds their first win in a match with Manhattan on Friday night in Riverdale.
Manhattan controlled possession very early in the game, with Dan Laguna Kennedy registering a shot in the second minute. The Jaspers kept the ball in the LIU territory and were able to take another shot in the fifth minute.
The tide turned soon after however, as sophomore midfielder Nahuel Medina was able to streak up the right side of the field to feed the ball straight to Stewart in the box. Stewart's kick landed in the lower right corner to give LIU Brooklyn its first goal of the season.
Play was physical between the two teams in the first half, as 11 total fouls were called. Manhattan held a 9-6 shot advantage over the Blackbirds, but strong defense from LIU Brooklyn and senior goalkeeper John Connolly allowed the Blackbirds to hold the advantage after the first 45 minutes.
Manhattan's best chance in the first half came in the 40th minute, after a foul on LIU gave the Jaspers a free kick 20 yards out from the goal. A shot from Alex Shackley went right through a wall of LIU defenders, but straight into the hands of Connolly.
The Blackbirds also had an opportunity with 10 seconds left. A foul on Manhattan put Sica in perfect position, but the shot was tapped away by Manhattan keeper Alex Coates McDowell.
Manhattan gave LIU Brooklyn a scare in the 50th minute, as a shot from Sam Howard hit off the post to land in the goal, but offsides was called. Manhattan controlled the shots in the second half, but Connolly made several important saves.
A foul in the box on Manhattan in the 74th minute gave LIU a chance for a two-goal cushion. Sophomore midfielder Tanner Sica kicked a perfect shot right past Coates McDowell to push the score up 2-0 for the Blackbirds.
Manhattan kept the pressure on, firing three more shots but could not find the back of the net. The Jaspers made a few more frantic attempts in the last three minutes, the Blackbirds were able to push the ball toward the other end of the field, going on to win the match, 2-0.
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Sica and Medina combined for seven shots on the day, while Connolly added six saves to his total.
The Blackbirds return to the pitch on Tuesday when they travel to Lawrenceville, N.J. for a 4:00 p.m. tilt with Rider.