Blue Devils Run Out of Steam, Fall to Manhattan 10-6 at Home

Sophomore Michele Conway and freshman Alexa Smead each scored three points, on two goals and one assist, but Central Connecticut (1-14) gave up four goals in a row during the final 12 minutes of play and lost to Manhattan (9-4) by a score of 10-6 on Tuesday night. Senior captain Alice Lee was impressive in goal, as she stopped 20 shots for the Blue Devils.

The first half was an even affair, with neither team scoring more than two goals in a row. The Jaspers leading goal scorer, freshman Chrissy Gutenberger, got Manhattan started, scoring two unassisted goals to open the game. Smead scored her first goal of the game to cut the lead to one, but Gutenberger found the net again to put the Jaspers up 3-1.

Sophomore Jessica Roberts scored on a free position shot with 12:26 remaining in the half to bring the Blue Devils within one again. CCSU tied the game at three when Conway scored her first goal on an assist from Smead. Manhattan finished the scoring in the opening frame with goals from junior Caralyn Hickey and Gutenberger to grab a 5-3 lead.

Out of the locker rooms it was Central Connecticut that struck first. Junior Courtney Mooney scored off an assist from Conway just 1:25 into the second period. After a goal from Manhattan's Phelicia VanOverbeke, Smead finished on her second goal of the night to bring the Blue Devil deficit to 6-5. She was assisted on the play by CCSU senior Stephanie John.

With under 12 minutes remaining in the game, Manhattan received two goals each from VanOverbeke and Hickey to take a 10-5 lead. With 3:26 left the Jaspers had the margin they needed to hold off a late goal by CCSU and win this one 10-6. Conway scored off an assist from freshman Ashley Mara with 1:48 to play.

The Jaspers dominated the offensive output as they outshot CCSU 40 to 24. The Blue Devils made up for it in the draw controls department, recording 14 to Manhattan's four. Sophomore Cara Momnie collected a game high eight on her own. She now has 55 draws on the season, breaking her own school record of 49 set last year. Lee recorded 20 saves for the second consecutive game, and added two ground balls and a caused turnover in the net.

Manhattan had three players do all the scoring. Gutenberger tallied four goals, while Hickey and VanOverbeke each scored three. Gutenberger also caused a game high six turnovers and sophomore Kristen Brenner led the Jaspers with four ground balls. Junior Allison Brown came away with 12 saves and three ground balls in net for Manhattan.

Central Connecticut falls to 1-14 on the season and will next be playing in the final game of the season. The Blue Devils will host Sacred Heart on Friday April 17 at 4:00 p.m. Manhattan improves to 9-4 this year and will also be playing at home on Friday. The Jaspers will host Siena College on April 17 at 7:00 p.m.

while sophomore Cara Momnie led all players with eight draw controls. Momnie now has 55 draws on the season, breaking her own school record of 49 set last year. Central Connecticut will play in their final game of the season when they host Sacred Heart on Friday April 17 at 4:00 p.m.