Fordham Dominates Manhattan in 3-0 Victory
Rams Strike Twice in Two Minutes to Seal Cross-Borough Rivalry Win
RIVERDALE, NY – Fordham demonstrated their attacking prowess with a commanding 3-0 victory over Manhattan at Gaelic Park, as the Rams controlled proceedings from start to finish in this local derby matchup.
The visitors carved open the Manhattan defense in the 37th minute when Daniel D'Ippolito unleashed a precise strike that nestled into the bottom corner, rewarding Fordham's patient build-up play. The goal came after sustained pressure from the Rams, who had dominated possession throughout the opening period.
Fordham's tactical superiority became even more evident in the second half as they continued to exploit spaces between Manhattan's defensive lines. The Rams' persistence paid off in the 64th minute when Emile Kisse thundered home their second goal, capitalizing on a swift counter-attack that caught the Jaspers' defense flat-footed.
Before Manhattan could regroup, Kisse struck again just 52 seconds later, hammering home his second of the match. The quick-fire double effectively ended the contest and highlighted Fordham's clinical finishing in the final third.
The Rams' tactical approach centered on controlling the midfield through precise passing and strategic pressing, forcing Manhattan to defend deep in their own half. This strategy prevented the Jaspers from establishing any meaningful attacking rhythm, as Fordham's defensive organization snuffed out potential counterattacks before they could develop.
Throughout the match, Fordham's wing play created numerous opportunities, with their fullbacks providing width and allowing the midfielders to operate in dangerous central areas. Manhattan struggled to cope with this tactical setup, particularly in transition phases where the Rams' quick ball movement repeatedly exposed gaps in the Jaspers' defensive structure.
Key Players:
Emile Kisse (Fordham) - Scored twice in quick succession and was a constant threat in the final third
Daniel D'Ippolito (Fordham) - Opened the scoring and controlled the midfield tempo [Manhattan Defender Name] (Manhattan) - Made several crucial interventions despite the loss and showed leadership under pressure