Sept. 14, 2007

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Despite holding a 23-5 advantage in shots - which includes two shots that hit posts - the La Salle University Women's Soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to visiting Manhattan, Friday evening in non-conference action at McCarthy Stadium.

Out of the gate - just 13 seconds in - Jasper forward Courtney McMahon attempted the first shot on goal, which sailed wide of the net. For the next 35 minutes, the Explorers would test Manhattan's defense and most notably its goalkeeper Alicia DeFino, but they held their ground.

Within a two-minute span (10:26 and 12:29) Kristin Hextall registered a pair of headers on net, which DeFino saved, then at the 13:18 mark, Melanie Gamble's shot hit the right post, which ricocheted right back to her and her second attempt went wide.

DeFino, who recorded 12 saves in the game and now has 40 in just five games this season, stopped two more Explorer shots and two more were blocked in the next 20 minutes.

Manhattan (1-2-2) would put the first point on the board when Caroline Morse settled a loose ball and fired from 35-yards out into the net, just out of the reach of La Salle keeper Melissa Sanger.

La Salle continued its pressure and Traci DePasquale almost tied the game five minutes before the half, but again it was DeFino making the stop to keep the Explorers off the board.

It was more of the same after the half, as La Salle had five shots in the first 20 minutes. Four were stopped by DeFino, which included a shot by Sara Copare, which required a diving stop by DeFino, and another shot by DePasquale that hit off the crossbar.

The Jaspers seemed to put the game away in the 80th minute when McMahon and Tracey Colantonio recorded assists on Christine Reina's second goal of the season.

However, La Salle would finally break through on a goal by Hextall at the 87:24 mark off an assist from Copare. It was her fourth of the season - 22nd of her Blue and Gold career.

DeFino would have to make one more save on the night a minute later on a free kick by Jenna Guagenti to record her first win of the season, while Sanger took the loss in the first start of her career.

La Salle (3-2) now needs to turn its attention to Sacred Heart, a team they host Sunday, Sept. 16 at 1 PM.