Siena staged a dramatic late comeback to defeat Manhattan 3-2 in a thrilling MAAC conference matchup at Gaelic Park on Wednesday night, with Mario Navarro Perez netting twice in the final 15 minutes to complete the stunning reversal.
Despite Manhattan dominating possession and outshooting their opponents 8-0, it was Siena who drew first blood in the 39th minute. Karl Tchounjin found Lucas Almeida with a precise through ball, and the forward made no mistake with his finish at the 38:30 mark to give the visitors the lead against the run of play.
The Jaspers responded quickly when Henry Hamilton equalized at 43:12, capitalizing on a defensive miscue to level the score heading into halftime. Manhattan's momentum carried into the second half, with Henry Reinhart putting the hosts ahead at the hour mark off a clever assist from Hamilton, who notched his second contribution of the night.
However, the game's complexion changed dramatically in the final twenty minutes. Siena's Mario Navarro Perez emerged as the hero, first equalizing at 79:06 with a clinical finish from Mark Cajamarca's setup. The Spanish forward wasn't finished, completing his brace at 86:43 after combination play between Lucas Almeida and Christian Amaral created the opportunity.
The match statistics tell a peculiar story, with Manhattan's eight shots to Siena's zero highlighting the visitors' clinical efficiency. The corner kick count favored Siena 4-1, though they struggled to maintain possession throughout the contest. The game's physical nature was evident in the card count, with Manhattan receiving an unusually high 14 yellow cards compared to Siena's three.
Tactically, Manhattan's aggressive high-pressing 4-3-3 formation controlled territory but left them vulnerable to Siena's counter-attacking strategy. The Saints' disciplined 4-5-1 setup absorbed pressure effectively, allowing them to spring quick transitions that ultimately proved decisive.
The turning point came after Manhattan's second goal, as their pursuit of a third left spaces that Siena expertly exploited. The visitors' tactical adjustment to utilize quick, direct passes bypassed Manhattan's pressing structure, leading to their late goals.
This result carries significant implications for both programs. Siena's resilient victory strengthens their position in the MAAC standings, demonstrating their ability to win despite being outplayed for long stretches. For Manhattan, the collapse raises questions about their game management, particularly given their statistical dominance and the manner in which they conceded late goals.
The contrast between Manhattan's territorial control and Siena's lethal finishing efficiency will give both coaching staffs plenty to analyze as they move forward in their campaigns. This match serves as a reminder that in college soccer, tactical discipline and clinical finishing can overcome statistical advantages.