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JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Manhattan Jaspers Women’s Soccer team (8-2-3, 5-1-3 Metro), anchored by yet another pair of second-half goals from Olivia McMaster and Lauren Ahearn, won their second consecutive match on the road against the Peacocks of Saint Peter’s (2-12-1, 1-7-1 Metro) by a final score of 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Jaroschak Field. It is the first time this season the Green and White have won two straight road contests. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED


Molly Brunk only needed five minutes to record her first save of the day, rejecting an on-target chance from the Peacocks’ Lea Masching. 
On the offensive end, Lauren Ahearn started off that duty for the Green and White, as the Saint Peter’s keeper stopped her shot at the ninth minute. 
In the 23rd, both Katie Cragan and Baileigh Johnson sent shots in towards the net, but the hosts were ready for them, denying both. 
Logan Smith joined the crowd in the 40th minute, with SPU now going up to four saves in the first half. 
A mere 25 seconds later, Saint Peter’s came running up the other end, with Alex Husson finishing off their opportunity and putting the home team up 1-0. 
Shortly after, the two sides heading to the locker room with Manhattan facing a deficit through 45 minutes. 
Olivia McMaster came right out of the gate for the visitors ready to fight, forcing another save within two and a half minutes. 
L. Smith sent in another at the 51st, but it wasn’t until McMaster tapped one in herself right at the 55 minute mark that the Jaspers tied this one up at one apiece. 
Continuing to apply the pressure, Johnson’s chance was rejected at the 63rd minute. 
With time winding down in the second half, Scarlett Smith developed a push with Ahearn in the 79th, finding one of her captains for the winning score as just over 11 minutes showed on the clock. 
Saint Peter’s managed to send in one more on-target that was yet again stopped by Brunk in the 81st.
With no more opportunities, the Jaspers won their fifth conference match-up in nine tries. 

STATS AND NOTES


Senior team captains, midfielder Olivia McMaster and forward Lauren Ahearn, scored their sixth and seventh goals of the season, respectively. Each of them are the lone two Jaspers with more than three goals this season.  
Freshman midfielder Logan Smith and Baileigh Johnson each recorded two shots on goal, tying them with the goalscorers. 
Senior goalkeeper Molly Brunk collected two saves in the 28th win of her career, extending her program record.
Senior defender Talia Omer, midfielder Mary Trudeau, and Ahearn, along with Sophomore defenders Eryn Primus, Madison Heitman, and finally Graduate midfielder Marlene Berlinghoff each logged a full 90 minutes on the pitch. 
Manhattan dominated the Peacocks in the shot battle 25-7, including 9-3 in the on target category. 

QUOTES FROM THE JASPERS


Head Coach Brendan Lawler: “Three points on the road against both a well-organized and well-coached Saint Peter’s team is huge for our place in the standings. Looking forward to getting ready to play against a great Fairfield team.” 

NEXT UP


Lawler and the Jaspers will return home to Riverdale on Saturday, October 17, when they face off with the Stags of Fairfield inside Gaelic Park. Action is scheduled to get underway at 1:30 p.m., and can be streamed live on ESPN+ with a paid subscription.

Follow Manhattan Women’s Soccer on Instagram and X (@JaspersWSOC).
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