After an upset at Siena kept the Titans within striking distance of a regular-season conference championship, they’ll try to fortify that position by holding serve against a Manhattan team tat has struggled so far this season. Without a win tomorrow, last week’s upset is all for naught.
Manhattan
Photo from Siena victory by Jim Davenport
Saturday Noon, Titan Field.
Record: 3-9 (2-0 MAAC)
Rankings: 53 (Computer).
Common Opponents: @ VMI (W 16-10), Jacksonville (W 10-8).
Schedule
Manhattan’s conference schedule so far has consisted of two MAAC opponents that UDM has already faced. The Jaspers have performed a little bit better against both VMI and Jacksonville, with a road win over the former (Detroit won at home, and by a less-impressive score), and a victory over the latter (UDM, as you know, had their heart ripped out in the fourth quarter). In that respect, Manhattan seems to be the slightly better team.
In games against other competition, however, Detroit has a decided advantage. Manhattan lost to Presbyterian(!!!) in what is likely to be the last victory in the Blue Hose program’s existence, and has also been pasted by the likes of Rutgers, Air Force, and Sacred Heart – mediocre teams all. It’s tough to hold losses against Denver, Hopkins, Villanova, and Hofstra against the Jaspers, but they probably shouldn’t be falling to Robert Morris, either.
The Jaspers have been outscored 94-128 so far on the season. They’re putting up an offensive efficiency of .266 with a defensive number at .302, for an efficiency margin of -.032. They’re also getting abused in possessions, only controlling 45% of the ball.
Personnel
Senior attack Justin Jensen spearheads Manhattan’s attack, with 16 goals and 6 assists on the year. Junior midfielder Brendan Rogers and redshirt freshman attack Brian McGrath are the team’s only real assist threats, with 9 and 7, respectively. Sophomore middie Tyler Jarvis is the second-leading goal scorer on the year with 12.
Defensively, junior Mike Brooks is the team’s enforcer. He has 12 penalties on the year, and is the only Jasper who has committed more than 4. He’s also second on the team in caused turnovers with 13. The team’s leader in CTs is senior Mike Pisciotta with 14, and freshman Dan McGreevey is not far behind the top two with 12. McGreevey also leads field players in GBs with 29 on the season. My hypothesis (since Manhattan’s roster doesn’t say) is that he’s an LSM who plays wing on faceoffs.
In goal, freshman Rich Akapnitis has been the primary option, and he’s saving .550 of shots faced, with a 10.32 goals against average. Senior Matt Solomito has gotten some playing time as well (including 3 starts), but has seen less success, with only a .455 save%.
The faceoff situation for Manhattan is dire indeed. They’re winning 38% of their draws, which is unspeakably bad (though there are actually 4 teams worse than them). Senior Matt LoGludis is the most-frequently deployed and also most successful faceoff specialist for the Jaspers, winning .447 of his draws.
Elsewhere
Detroit leads the nation in caused turnovers. Also from the official site, Tim Shoemaker video interview:
Prediction
Manhattan is, like, really bad at lacrosse. Detroit should be able to win this game, and do so comfortably. The faceoffs should not be a disadvantage for UDM – one of the few times that has been the case this year. I expect spread-out scoring, with Shayne Adams ahead of the pack with 3 goals and 2 assists in a 14-8 Titan win.
……….