RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan (4-4-4) secured a vital 1-0 victory over Siena (5-4-5) in a closely contested MAAC conference matchup on Saturday afternoon at Gaelic Park, with an attendance of 427.
The match's decisive moment came in the 28th minute when Manhattan broke the deadlock. The goal proved to be the difference in a tightly contested affair that saw both teams create multiple scoring opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.
The first half was marked by aggressive play from both sides. Manhattan's Lauren Ahearn tested the Siena defense early with a low shot in the 6th minute. Siena responded through Cate Flanagan, who sent an attempt high in the 20th minute. The hosts maintained pressure through Olivia McMaster, who narrowly missed the target in the 22nd minute. The tactical battle intensified as Manhattan made strategic substitutions, with Kaylee Stowell and Samantha Setteducato being replaced before the 30-minute mark.
The second half saw increased offensive pressure from Siena as they sought an equalizer. Anna Swyers generated two promising opportunities, with shots in the 70th and 72nd minutes that challenged the Manhattan defense. The Saints' persistence was evident as they earned multiple corners, but Manhattan's defensive unit, anchored by their backline, maintained their clean sheet. The hosts countered effectively, with Marlene Berlinghoff creating two dangerous chances in the 75th and 77th minutes.
Final statistics reflected the match's competitive nature. Manhattan outshot Siena 12-8, with 8 shots on target compared to Siena's 4. The Saints held a slight advantage in corner kicks (6-5), while both teams demonstrated disciplined play, though Siena's Micaiah Croce received the match's only yellow card in the 83rd minute for persistent infringement.
Individual performances shaped the contest significantly. Manhattan's Josslyn Weissman proved instrumental in the midfield, while Amaya Hill's presence created consistent attacking threats. For Siena, Anna Swyers led the offensive effort with multiple shot attempts, while Abby Daly provided creative spark in the attacking third.
The tactical approach from Manhattan head coach focused on maintaining defensive shape while exploiting counter-attacking opportunities. Siena responded by increasing their pressing intensity in the second half, evidenced by their increased shot production and corner kick opportunities. The hosts' ability to maintain defensive organization while threatening on the counter proved crucial to securing all three points.
This victory extends Manhattan's positive momentum following their recent win over Mount St. Mary's, improving their conference position. For Siena, the result marks their second consecutive loss in conference play, following their setback against Fairfield, creating urgency for their upcoming fixtures.
The match highlighted Manhattan's defensive resilience and tactical discipline, particularly in the closing stages when Siena mounted significant pressure. Multiple substitutions from both sides in the final twenty minutes reflected the intensity of the contest, with both coaches attempting to influence the outcome through tactical adjustments.
Looking ahead, Manhattan will host Saint Peter's on October 8th at 3:00 PM, while Siena travels to face Canisius on the same day and time, with both teams seeking to build on their performances from this competitive encounter.