the Quadrangle
Jasperspresentedbusinessideasforthechancetowincashprizes.
ManhattanUniversity StudentsCompete inAnnualInnovation Challenge
Emmanouel Sofillas Managaing Editor
The 12th annual Innovation Challenge, hosted by the O’Malley School of Business, once again brought together the sharpest entrepreneurial minds from Manhattan University for a night of creativity, competition and community impact. Student teams pitched their innovative business ideas to a panel of industry judges, with top winners taking home cash
prizes to bring their concepts to life.
This year’s event featured six teams, showcasing a wide array of inventive solutions — from fashion-forward selfdefense tools to AI-powered recycling systems. The event drew students from various disciplines and academic levels, exemplifying the spirit of cross-collaboration between the business and engineering schools.
SlaySpray, a self-defense accessory disguised as a stylish fashion charm, took home the first-place prize of $5,000. Created by graduate
student Anna Burnett, the product seeks to empower individuals, particularly those navigating public transit or difficult environments, through a discreet but effective alternative to mace.
“Slay Spray brings fashion, accessibility, and comfort to those who are seeking a feeling of security,” Burnett said. “Inspired by personal experience, the product also aims to break the stigma surrounding conversations about violence, especially
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Brooke Della Rocco News Editor
Manhattan University’s second senate meeting of the semester was held on Tuesday, March 25, where budget planning, low staffing levels in the Department of Residence Life and the shutdown of the Starbucks in Kelly Commons were discussed. President Frederick Bonato Ph.D., was present along with Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer James Perrino, to weigh in on future plans.
While it is difficult to predict enrollment for the coming Fall 2025 semester, Bonato announced that Manhattan University has received 14,000 applications compared to last year’s 9,500. The majority of these applications are from out-of-state students, with most applying to be a resident student for the school year.
This is highly important to MU due to its dependency on revenue from student housing.
“A lot of our revenue is tuition dependent,” Perrino said. “It’s student dependent… In 2024 about 80% of our total revenue is derived from the student generated activities. So as enrollment goes, so does our year financially.”
In 2024, the university
had $119 million in revenue but spent $145 million which created an operating deficit of $23.9 million. Roughly $14 million of that deficit is made up of a depreciation expense. While not an out-of-pocket expense, it is reflected on financial statements.
The spending rate for the institution has been increased as well, moving from 5% to 7% in 2024 and remaining that way for 2025. As of 2026, it will revert back to 5%. Perrino spoke about how this will affect the MU community as an institution.
“It’s important as we start to think about how we move forward as an institution,” Perrino said. “What resources do we have and how we can execute on different strategic initiatives, but it’s also important for our bond rating.”
MU is rated based upon the strength of their finances and their ability to repay our bonds by both Fitch ratings and S&P Global. Fitch scored the university BBB+ with a negative outlook, while S&P scored BBB with a negative outlook.
A lot of these ratings are reliant on seeing improved operating performance, which relies once again on MU’s tuition dependency.
“I will say, you know we still have challenges,” Bonato
Volume CXI, Issue 10
APRIL 1, 2025
The Editorial Board
Grace Cardinal Editor-in-Chief
Emmanouel Sofillas Managing Editor
Laili Shahrestani Features Editor
Leyla Mercado Arts & Entertainment Editor
Asst. Sports Editor
Amy Forster Asst. Production Editor
Mary Haley Marketing Chair
Brooke Della Rocco News Editor
Mary Haley Asst. Features Editor
Andrew Mannion Sports Editor
Barbara Vasquez Production Editor
LETTER from the EDITOR
Dear Readers,
Hello, happy Triangle Tuesday and welcome to issue 10!
Editor
Gencarelli Faculty Advisor
About The Quadrangle
A tradition since 1924, The Quadrangle is a news organization run by the students of Manhattan University. We strive to cover news around campus and the greater community, publishing weekly in print and daily online. Our goal is always accuracy, relevancy and professionalism.
The opinions expressed in The Quadrangle are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board, the University or the student body.
Join The Quadrangle
The Quadrangle’s staff holds weekly open meetings on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. in Kelly Commons Room 4.12. All are welcome to come and join the club.
Quadrangle
By now, you may have noticed a very special print issue sitting on stands around campus. For the first time since 2023, The Triangle has returned in print! For those who may not know, The Triangle is The Quad’s annual satirical April Fool’s Day edition. It brings our staff great pleasure to put this together each spring, and it is personally one of my favorite Quad traditions. My first trip to campus happened to be a spring Accepted Students Day, and the 2022 Triangle edition was my first exposure to our beloved paper I have grown to love so much. For those not on campus, The Triangle is posted online at our issuu account, which can be found here. I hope it brings a smile to your face and a few laughs to brighten your day!
Speaking of Triangle, I would be remiss to not give a major shoutout to our production team, who spent hours on end this weekend putting together both of these beautiful issues. As much as we love Triangle, it is not an easy issue to put together, requiring many graphics and memes to be built from scratch on Photoshop. They are truly the behind the scenes heroes each week, but especially on days when they’re handed double-duty down in the lab.
Speaking of being in print, I want to once again link our GoFundMe for you to access and share with loved ones. We began receiving donations last week, and I could not be more grateful for those of you who have been able to contribute! No matter the amount, big or small, your support of keeping student journalism alive means the world to our staff and me.
As for our regular issue, we have some great (actually real) news to bring to you. In news, we cover last week’s Senate meeting on campus which brought many updates about what the campus community can expect in the coming months. We also cover MU’s annual Innovation Challenge, where students pitched their business ideas for a chance to win a cash prize. Continuing on in features, we bring you a Voices on the Quad: Spring Break Edition as well as a story on the Center for Career Development’s search for new Peer Career Advisors. In A&E, we cover Players’ One Act performances from over the weekend and a Book Nook for Sunrise On The Reaping, the newest Hunger Games novel. Lastly, in sports, we bring you Manhattan University Women’s Lacrosse’s most recent win, and an overview of the Games of the Week you may have missed. Be sure to give it all a read!
Until next time,
Grace Cardinal
Editor-in-Chief
Owen McWalters
Barbara Vasquez Web
Thom
SenateDiscussesBudgetPlans,StaffingLevelsinResidence
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said. “I would say cautiously, it’s getting better…But it’s still a bit of a pretty big hill we [have] got to climb. But we can do it.”
Looking towards budget planning for 2026, the target or estimated enrollment involves 750 incoming freshmen and 125 transfers with a discount rate of about 61%. The goal remains to hit a break even number within the finances.
The senate then moved to discuss the apparent low staffing levels located in the Department of Residence Life. The department still has five open positions including two area coordinators, one residential success coordinator, one associate director of residence life and one housing operations manager.
However, it was announced that starting April 10, MU will have a new associate director of Residence Life who will be living on campus, with two
more candidates who are in the final stages of interviews for the area coordinator positions.
“I can tell you she [the new associate director] fits what we were looking for,” Senator Kristell Lowe, vice president of Student Life said. “The role in the sense that her care for the student and her focus on the student experience is very evident. So we’re very excited about welcoming her to the team.”
Additionally, the closure of the Starbucks on the bottom floor of Kelly Commons was announced at the conclusion of the meeting. Due to the opening of Zaro’s Family Bakery on campus, the campus life committee observed plummeting sales for Starbucks. Senator Lowe spoke more about their plan for the future of that space.
“We’re going to pause on Starbucks,” Lowe said. “There were also very high requirements on this side as far as capital injection was
concerned. So we’re working on a different concept. I don’t have enough details yet to share with you, but when I do you will be the first to know. We’re working on some things based on student feedback, probably healthier options.”
While constant upgrades and beneficial improvements are being made to Manhattan University’s campus, the senate and leadership team have observed a great deal of school spirit and support.
“I believe morale has gotten better,” Bonato said. “It’s got a long way to go. You’ve lived through bad times to be frank, but I believe we hit the bottom and are coming out of it. It’s an upward trajectory.”
MANHATTAN.EDU / COURTESY
ManhattanUniversityStudentsCompeteinAnnual InnovationChallenge
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domestic violence.”
Burnett plans to use the prize money to begin phase two of development, which includes implementing a Bluetooth tracking system and an app that connects users to local resources and safe spaces.
The audience favorite award and second place went to VibeView, a live-streaming app for local bars, co-founded by finance major Andrew Pesce. The app helps users scout nightlife scenes in real time before heading out, saving both time and money.
“The inspiration came on my birthday,” Pesce said. “I went to a bar, and it was dead. I thought, ‘I wish I could just check it out on my phone before going.’”
Modeled after the concept behind surf apps like Surfline, VibeView integrates camera feeds from bars to provide a real-time look at the social scene. The team plans to invest their winnings into app development and bar integration costs, estimating around $180 per bar for
setup.
Third place went to Sustain-a-Bin, an AI-powered recycling bin with the team consisting of William Heaney, Daniel Rawdah, Massimo Tatta and Jason Matute. Heaney, a double major in Business Analytics and Computer Information Systems, spoke about how the smart bin uses AI cameras to sort recyclables and eventually aims to become self-sustaining by repurposing collected plastic into new bins.
“Our hope is that it becomes completely sustainable using solar panels in the future,” Heaney said. “We want to build smarter waste systems for college campuses and cities alike.”
The judges, composed of business leaders and entrepreneurs alike, evaluated teams based on presentation clarity, understanding of the target market, competitive analysis and the viability of the business model.
“I was really impressed by the diversity of ideas and how well thought out the concepts were,” judge Brian Sullivan said. “Some were very practical, some more
conceptual, but overall, the quality was outstanding.”
Judge Mike Kelly, a returning panelist, emphasized the importance of execution.
“What we look for is who’s closest to the market,” Kelly said. “A lot of these ideas are great, but it’s those who are ready to execute that stand out.”
Next up, the winning teams will represent Manhattan University at the upcoming Battle of the Bronx: Innovation Style, where they will compete against students from Fordham University.
The campus Starbucks, located in Kelly Commons, will be replaced in the near future.
Features
VoicesontheQuad: SpringBreakEdition
Kayla Werth Contributor
Spring break has come to an end and Manhattan University students have returned to campus to complete the final stretch of the spring semester. Many students took the weeklong break to get a much needed breather and put aside their academics. The Quadrangle spoke with students around campus to find out what they did over their break.
Quinn Nagle, ‘25, chemical engineering major
The Quadrangle: Spring break is a time to relax and take a break from school. Did you travel anywhere and if so, who did you go with?
Quinn Nagle: Yes, I went to Nashville with my five best friends.
TQ: What was one your favorite memories or moments that you will remember from your trip?
QN: The last day we were there, one of the other girls I was with found out there was a tattoo shop in one of the bars that we had been going to. On the last night I went and got a tattoo to commemorate the trip.
TQ: Did you always know you wanted to go to Nashville?
QN: Yeah, it was kind of random. We were thinking about doing the typical Mexico spring break thing, but all of them had already done that last year and we had heard Nashville was a lot of fun. So we were like, yeah why not, it’s probably cheaper. So, we decided to go there.
TQ: Did you have any prior plans for what you wanted to do there?
QN: A bunch of my friends are big Taylor Swift girls, so there were definitely a couple places they really wanted to go to. Other than that, we knew that we absolutely had to buy cowboy boots. A couple of us didn’t own any, so we had to do that. I think we just wanted to go see what the city was like and hangout!
JJ Hardy, ‘28, business management major
The Quadrangle: How did you take advantage of your spring break?
JJ Hardy: I did a lot of sleeping, I spent time with my family and ate a lot of good food. I also worked out a lot.
TQ: Did you take the time off to relax and decompress?
JH: Yeah, I spent time with my friends and they relieve my stress.
TQ: What fun activities did you do over the week?
JH: I have a hot tub and sauna, so me and my boys would go in there after workouts to just chill.
TQ: We’re in the final stretch of the semester. Did you prepare yourself for it when coming back to campus?
JH: I had an epiphany over break that I need to lock in for the last six weeks of school. I’m about to be transferring, so I need to really end off the year strong.
Ava Murrary, ‘26, marketing major
The Quadrangle: Knowing that spring break was quickly approaching did you have any pre-planned activities?
Ava Murrary: I actually had a Puerto Vallarta [Mexico] trip planned since August. Leading up to it, I just had to get my passport ready, pack all my stuff and get all that in check.
TQ: Did you think it was a good and relaxing break to decompress?
AM: Oh yeah, definitely!
The minute I got to the resort I went right to the beach and immediately it was just like all my problems at home went away.
TQ: Is there a memory that was your favorite?
AM: We went on a little boat ride, that was super fun. We were with a bunch of other college students too, so we were all migling. It was just a
really good time and we were all together.
TQ: Do you think you’d go back to Mexico?
AM: Definitely, Puerto Vallarta at least! That’s the only place in Mexico I’ve been to, but it was so beautiful there. Nothing like I’d imagined it would be. It was like, very city, but also “mountainy” and cool!
Senior Quinn Nagle and friends in Nashville. QUINN NAGLE / COURTESY
Freshman JJ Hardy. JJ HARDY / COURTESY
Junior Ava Murray and friends in Puerto Vallarta. AVA MURRAY / COURTESY
MU’s Career Center Seeks
New Peer Career Advisors
Leyla J Mercado Arts and Entertainment Editor
Manhattan University’s Center for Career Development (CCD) has announced its search for new Peer Career Advisors as it begins the recruitment process for the 2025-2026 academic year. Dedicated to supporting students’ futures, the center offers career guidance and preparation through its career counselors and peer career advisors (PCA).
PCAs are distinguished students who are skilled in assisting their peers in interview preparation, resume, cover letter and personal statement reviews alongside CCD programs, services and online resources. They provide further support in presentations for classes, residence halls and student organizations as well.
Julia Anna Alvarez-Rivera, the director at the Center for Career Development, spoke with The Quadrangle about the search for PCA applicants.
“We have wonderful career advisors on board now, but they’re seniors, so they’re going to be graduating,” Alvarez-Rivera said. “So we definitely want to develop another wonderful, talented, prop of students who can help fellow students. That really is the core of what our peer career advisors are. It’s peer to peer assistance with career related matters.”
Students who have an interest in applying must be eligible for either work study or campus employment, with a completed FAFSA application and the availability of working at least six hours per week. PCA candidates are to be trained by a two day training program that supports them in being ready to advise fellow students on preparing their
resume, cover letters and job applications.
Alvarez-River further explained what exactly the center is in search of in regards to new PCA applicants, and what the versatility the job consists of.
“This is open to current freshman, sophomores or juniors from any of the schools,” Alvarez-Rivera told The Quadrangle. “We asked for a minimum GPA of 3.0 and basically to be committed for the entire academic year, so 2025 through 2026 … We obviously recruit students from any of the schools, and it’d be great if we had students from each of the schools. The reality is once they’re hired, they’re expected to sort of cross-train so that they’re able to help any student from any other school. There’s a lot of ability to be able to learn new information and to adapt.”
She went on to share the Center for Career Development’s mission when it comes to current and future generations of students at MU.
“Our mission is really to be the hub of support for students to be able to support their career potential, and actually learn the skills and have the tools and the confidence they need to be able to go on that career path journey and ultimately be able to secure internships along the way,” Alvarez-Rivera said. “Also, all the post-graduate employment opportunities that will give them satisfaction in terms of their career goals”
Students who work as PCAs have translated this mission into meaningful experiences and lessons about the professional world. Maddie Fitzgerald, a senior biology major and PCA discussed what the most rewarding aspects of her job have been on her academic journey.
“When people would come back saying they got a job, I think that was really awesome
because of the edits that we’ve made to their resume or their cover letter, or [the] different positions they applied to,” Fitzgerald said. “Whenever people come back with good news, or would say their friend recommended the job, add to why I’m coming.”
Fitzgerald also shared how her position as a PCA has helped her develop professionally, and allowed her to prepare for the post-graduate world.
“I can now write a really good resume,” Fitzgerald said. “So my own resume is impeccable, and also my cover letter writing skills. I’m able to apply to positions all the time and it’s always really good feedback from the positions. But also just being able to talk to people from all different ages and backgrounds and kind of develop their story, their narrative, it’s really fun to learn about everyone.”
Fitzgerald went on to share with The Quadrangle what she feels makes a great PCA.
“I think just being able to listen and understand people and understand that you’re meeting them where they’re at,” Fitzgerald said. “So if someone comes in and they’re super anxious about a job position, you have to be there and not be super overbearing, or make them afraid of whatever it is, work with what they’ve got. If they don’t have a ton of positions, how can we spin that into something that looks really awesome, really professional.”
As the Center for Career Development continues its search for new PCAs, students interested in on-campus employment recognize the value of the position.
Krysha Guzman, a sophomore majoring in political science elaborated on how she feels about PCA applications as a student with an interest in working on campus.
“I personally feel like opening applications for PCAs
is a really good idea since students will be able to have the opportunity to help their peers,” Guzman said. “A lot of students would be more inclined to want to be a PCA when they see their peers are the ones that will be helping them. It’ll help students feel more confident in their career preparation because they are able to practice for their future careers with people they may already be close and comfortable with.”
Guzman went on to share, “I see PCAs playing an active role in helping influence other
Jaspers on campus to be more inclined to becoming interested in getting a kick-start in their careers, since their fellow students will be taking part in it.”
The Center for Career Development is taking applications for PCA positions until March 31, with the application being accessible through their QR code. With any questions, they can be responded to via email at careerdevelopment@ manhattan.edu.
Students Display Talent in One Acts Performance arts &
Emmanouel Sofillas
Managing Editor
In an exciting celebration of student artistry, Manhattan University’s Players brought energy, humor and emotion to the Smith Auditorium stage during their annual One Acts event. The event featured a collection of short plays directed, written and performed entirely by students, showcasing their creative range and collaborative spirit.
This year’s festival drew an enthusiastic audience, eager to witness the fresh stories and inventive performances. From romantic comedies and satirical parodies to emotional dramas, each play demonstrated the students’ ability to tell compelling stories in compact timeframes. The
festival also provided a platform for new voices, first-time actors and budding directors to experiment and grow their theatrical talents.
Freshman English major Mary Calder made her debut in the festival, playing Carly, a recently divorced woman navigating postbreakup emotions in a story that balanced humor and vulnerability.
“She’s a fun character to play,” Calder said. “There’s a balance between frustration, anger, and hope. She’s trying to move on and rediscover herself, which is something I think a lot of people relate to.”
For Calder, the transition from rehearsing in the Black Box Theater to performing on the main stage in Smith Auditorium was one of the most significant challenges.
“We rehearsed in the
box, and then had to refigure everything when we moved into Smith,” Calder said. “It’s a whole different space, and you can’t get too attached to anything during rehearsal. Things constantly change, and you have to be adaptable.”
Despite the obstacles, Calder found the experience fulfilling.
“Being in front of an audience is just a whole other level,” Calder said. “There’s so much gratification in finally performing what you’ve been working on for weeks.”
Junior computer science major Vanessa Goncalves also experienced her first MU Players production, stepping into the role of Jane, a devoted wife facing a sudden emotional crisis during a chaotic game show. Jane, the only character in the play who never lies, finds her world turned upside down
when her husband reveals he is gay.
“She’s so loving and professional, and I relate to her in some ways,” Goncalves said. “She’s bubbly and wants to see the best in people. But playing her also challenged me to be more emotionally reactive on stage.”
Goncalves admitted that memorization was a hurdle at first, but the support of her fellow castmates helped her succeed.
“We got really close, and running lines together made a huge difference,” Goncalves said. “Sometimes I’d get so excited, I’d jump ahead to my favorite lines, and we’d have to improvise our way back. That teamwork really brought us together.”
Behind the scenes, the festival was orchestrated by James Cullen, a junior marketing major who served as the production’s overseer. Cullen coordinated the logistics of each show—from rehearsal space and scheduling to technical support—ensuring the smooth execution of all performances.
“Every piece is directed by a student,” Cullen said. “My role was to make sure those directors had what they needed. I organized the rehearsal spaces, helped with scheduling, and handled any issues that came up during tech week.”
Cullen also contributed as a writer and actor, appearing in his self-written play “Management 401” and penning the closing act, “Inconvenient Truth”.
“I love being in the room when it all comes together,” Cullen said. “It’s such a creative high. And acting in the shows I wrote? That was really special.”
One of Cullen’s favorite acts in the festival was “Calico”, which he praised for its originality.
“It was so creative,” Cullen said. “Everyone really brought their best to the table.”
The influx of participants this year was a welcome surprise for the directing team, including sophomore childhood education major Grace Coutu, who co-directed “Unquestionable Evil” with Juliana Virdone.
“This was my first time directing for Players,” Coutu
said. “We actually became directors after submitting a pitch. We outlined what we needed, our vision, and the story we wanted to tell. The whole process was a learning experience.”
Coutu noted that casting was one of the most difficult parts.
“There were so many talented people who auditioned this year,” Coutu said. “We’re hoping next year we can find a role for everyone. One Acts is such a great opportunity, especially since it’s entirely student-run.”
According to Coutu, working alongside Cullen made the experience even smoother.
“James made a lot of this possible,” Coutu said. “He put together the rehearsal schedule, helped us stay organized, and really supported the vision each director had for their piece.”
For Coutu, the most rewarding part was working closely with the actors.
“I’m usually the one on stage,” Coutu said. “Seeing the process from the other side was really eye-opening. Watching actors bring our vision to life was incredibly rewarding.”
Senior sound studies major Lochlan Reeder brought a dose of dark comedy to the festival with his performance in “Unquestionable Evil”, a Frankenstein-style parody involving an undead cat.
“I just love the moment when I pull the cat prop out of the carrier,” Reeder said. “It always gets a reaction.”
In the festival, Reeder played two drastically different roles, including one character who constantly cheats on his wife.
“It was definitely a challenge to play someone so awful,” Reeder said. “It pushed me to explore a side of performance I haven’t done before. You really have to embrace the darkness of that character.”
As the final applause echoed through Smith Auditorium, the cast and crew were already looking ahead to next year’s festival.
“There’s so much talent at this school,” Cullen said. “Next year, I’d love to see more people in the audience and even more involvement. We’re building something really special here.”
Book Nook: Sunrise on the Reaping
Elizabeth Kalaj Senior Writer
On March 18, Suzanne Collins released her fifth book within “The Hunger Games” series, “Sunrise on the Reaping”. There was a large anticipation towards this release, being that Collins has said in the past that she “only writes when she has something to say”.
The story is told in first person point of view through the mind of Haymitch Abernathy, the famous Katniss Everdeen’s mentor and friend in the first three books, during the year that he was reaped for the 50th Quarter Quell. Through this narrative, Collins portrays the theme of propaganda in media and government and the difference between truth and deceived truth.
Collins divided the book into three parts that spanned from the morning of the reaping to the victory tour and his time after, with an epilogue covering his time with Katniss and Peeta at the end of the third book in the series, “Mockingjay”. Within each chapter, Collins would often portray events occurring through Haymitch’s eyes, the arguably accurate storyteller, then through the television or cameras of the Capital government. She emphasized the theme of controlling the narrative, specifically in order to reduce the chance of rebellion.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” is chronologically placed after Collins’ most recent book, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” but before the “Hunger Games” trilogy. As a
result, Collins wrote in many fan favorites from the other books in the series, including past victors and the main characters’ parents, using this story to create thorough backstories and reference events in the past and future. Collins took the challenge of the audience knowing the ending to the book and used it as a strength, constantly keeping readers on their toes regarding what came next. Regardless of the knowledge that Haymitch would win his games and his loved ones would be killed by the capital, Collins used this to play into her theme of propaganda, reminding the readers how little they truly understand about the history of Panem.
Many avid “Hunger Games” readers commented on the fact that this was the most gory, gruesome and graphic novel Collins had ever written, especially due to the fact that the Quarter Quell had forty-eight tributes, rather than the typical twenty-four. Each of these tributes had been subject to Capital manipulation, highlighting that once again nobody is immune to a biased perception.
Throughout this novel, Collins dedicated several chapters to the treatment that the tributes received within the Capital and by their people. She highlighted the removal from reality that most of the residents of the capital show, including college students worrying about their grade in a fashion class rather than the odds of the tribute they are styling surviving the game. Additionally, each teenager is forced to play into a character in order to receive life-saving resources, emphasizing the
extent that these people are removed from reality.
In addition to the story of propaganda, Collins highlights the idea that revolutions and rebellions do not happen swiftly, they are built through the sacrifices, skills and bravery from all the people who come before and after others. Through this book, it is undeniable that Collins took a more direct approach
in mirroring Panem and the stories within it to the world we are all currently living in. It encourages readers to apply these same themes and key ways of thinking to their lives every day. In short, the “Sunrise on the Reaping” is a call for free thinking and a call to action.
Women’s Lacrosse Clinches Win at Gaelic Park, Downs Merrimack 14-11
Andrew Mannion Sports Editor
On Saturday afternoon, the Jaspers Women’s Lacrosse team took down Merrimack with a score of 14-11. Led by four goals from the MAAC Student-Athlete of the Week, Olivia Cruthers, the offense was able to put together their second highest score total of the season.
The Jaspers started strong, with Cruthers scoring back-to-back goals to open the game. After Merrimack answered with a goal from Ashlyn Campbell, Manhattan extended its lead with goals from Hailey Schnider and Lindsay Atkinson, finishing the first quarter ahead 4-2.
The second quarter belonged to Merrimack, as they put together a five goal run behind efforts from Ava Fernandes, Kaitlin Roche and Ashley Bonitch. Manhattan found themselves down 7-4 before rallying with goals from Lauren Maher, Emily Fiola and Juliana Mahan to tie the game 7-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the game stayed tight. Cruthers completed her hat trick to
give Manhattan the lead, but Merrimack quickly tied it up again. The Jaspers’ Mahan and the Warriors’ Brooke Brennan traded goals, and the score was even at 9-9 heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter was where Manhattan pulled away. Atkinson and Maher found the net early, and though Merrimack briefly tied it at 11, Manhattan responded with a dominant closing stretch.
Grace Boneu, Brooke Leonard, Kaitlin Roche and Fiola each scored in the final minutes, sealing the 14-11 victory.
Cruthers led all scorers with four goals, while Mahan and Fiola added two a piece. Atkinson had a strong allaround performance with a goal and three assists. Merrimack was paced by Kaitlin Roche and Juliana Mahan with two goals each, but they were unable to keep up with Manhattan’s fourth-quarter push.
With the team getting back to .500 against MAAC competition, the girls have found themselves back on the right track. Head Coach Jenna Dingler spoke about how the team should take a lot of pride of their performance, and how they will attack the rest of the season.
“They had a lot of belief in
Jasper women’s lacrosse dedicate their game to supporting and fundraising for the Suzanne M. Scanio Foundation for breast cancer.
themselves and each other, and it was translated onto the field,” Dingler said. “They definitely have been putting the work in, so for this to translate today, on game day, they should be nothing but proud of
@MANHATTANWLACROSSE_ /INSTAGRAM
themselves.”
The team’s offense had a big day, with 14 goals being put on the board. Led by Cruthers’ four goals, the offense found their groove early and kept the success throughout the game.
Cruthers spoke on how the offense gets going and finds success.
“We just need a spark every single day,” Cruthers said. “Whether it’s me or if it’s a freshman who just started her first collegiate game, it’s about being consistent, stepping up and making big plays. I’m not the only one on my team who can do it, but just something Coach Jenna pushes us to do every single day of practice.”
With MAAC play just beginning, the team will look to continue its success. Jaspers’ attacker, Brooke Leonard, explained her goals for the season in order to continue to find success in the MAAC.
“My drive is just to show up on the field every day and be there for my teammates,” Leonard said. “Just show up and work hard for them.”
The Jaspers will have their next game in Loudonville, NY, as they take on Siena next Wednesday.
*Editor’s Note: Grace Cardinal contributed to reporting.
Games of the Week
Andrew Mannion Sports Editor
Men’s Lacrosse
The Jaspers Men’s Lacrosse team played two games this week. The first was a win over Quinnipiac, and the other a loss on the road at Canisius.
The Manhattan Jaspers Men’s Lacrosse team earned a gritty 7–6 victory over Quinnipiac on Wednesday afternoon at Gaelic Park, improving to 5–4 overall and 3–0 in MAAC play. Jack Miller opened the scoring early and added a second goal later to lead the Jaspers’ offense. Scott O’Connor also found the net in the first quarter to give Manhattan a 2–0 lead.
Quinnipiac responded in the second quarter with goals from Owen Murray and Tommy Andruzzi, bringing the score even at 2–2 heading into halftime. The defensive battle continued into the second half, as both teams looked for ways to break the stalemate.
Manhattan regained momentum in the third quarter behind goals from Kelly DuPree and Miller, giving the Jaspers a 4–2 advantage. However, Quinnipiac came out strong in the fourth with three
quick goals from Nate Watson, Justin Robbert and Murray to take a 5–4 lead.
Drew Hiner and Connor Engel answered for Manhattan, briefly reclaiming the lead before Robbert tied it once again. With under four minutes to play, Liam Peabody made the decisive play, driving into
the defense and scoring the game-winner. Goalie Connor Hapward anchored the Jaspers’ defense with 10 saves, helping secure the conference win.
Baseball
The Manhattan Jaspers baseball team went 1–2 this
Jasper Baseball claims 9-8 victory against Quinnipiac. ARTHUR ELLIS/ COURTESY
past week, with their highlight being a solid 9–8 victory over Quinnipiac on Saturday, March 29. The win brought Manhattan to 9–16 overall and 4–7 in MAAC play. In a back-and-forth contest, the Jaspers jumped ahead early and kept their foot on the gas offensively, racking up 17 hits to outpace the Bobcats.
Gabe Salva opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the first inning, and Manhattan kept the momentum rolling. Aidan Katzman and Salva combined for four RBIs, while Jeremy Sosa and Ryan Lordier added key hits to push the Jaspers ahead. By the end of the sixth inning, Manhattan had built an 8–3 lead, highlighted by some aggressive base running. Katzman added a final insurance run in the ninth before Manhattan’s bullpen held off a late push by the Bobcats.
Earlier in the week, Manhattan fell 19–4 to Columbia and 16–5 to Quinnipiac in the first game of the series. Despite the lopsided losses, standout performances came from Aidan Taclas, who went 4-for-5 on Friday, and Dylan Mayer, who launched a three-run homer. The Jaspers will look to build on Saturday’s win as they continue conference play.
Track and Field
The Manhattan University Track and Field team had a strong weekend across two meets: the Raleigh Relays and the Ramapo Invitational. Leading the way was Lewis Forster, who followed up last week’s breakout performance with another personal best in the men’s javelin, throwing 62.97m to finish sixth overall at Raleigh in a highly competitive field. His continued improvement marks him as a key contributor this outdoor season.
At Ramapo, Paul Brennan delivered a standout win in the men’s hammer throw with a personal best of 64.79m, and also placed third in discus. Alexandra Caraher won the women’s hammer with a throw of 51.35m, while Peter Athanailos placed third in the men’s triple jump with a mark of 14.78m.
Notable performances also came from Alex Kristeller (who threw 66.82m, good for 4th in hammer), Bella Sing, Ellianne Fernandez and Darion Lopez. Several athletes earned personal bests as the team prepares for next weekend’s Metropolitan Championship and Colonial Relays.
Number 11, Drew Hiner, mid-game against Canisius. VINCENT DUSOVIC/COURTESY