ManhattanUniversityHosts53rd AnnualMUCrossCountryInvitational
TeamsandrunnersfromaroundthecountrytraveledtoVanCortlandtParkto competeattheevent.
ManhattanCaucus: ShutdownStandoff–CongressDeadlocked OverHealthCareand FederalFunding
Elaina Batista
Asst. Social Media Editor
The United States Government has been shut down for over a week due to Congress failing to come to an agreement on a federal funding budget. Therefore, some, but not all, U.S. government services are temporarily suspended and about 750,000 people are on unpaid leave.
This number correlates to approximately 40% of the
federal work force, according to the BBC.
Republicans and Democrats were unable to agree to pass a bill funding government services before the Oct. 1 deadline, with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress.
Since 60 votes are needed in order to pass a spending bill, Democrats were left with some room for negation.
Among the key issues
Democrats are advocating for are the extension of expiring tax credits that help make health insurance
more affordable for millions of Americans, as well as the reversal of Trump-era cuts to Medicaid, the government healthcare program serving millions of elderly, disabled and low-income individuals.
The president and members of Congress will still be paid during the shutdown, as set out in the U.S. Constitution. Workers are paid on time if their work is supported by means other than congressional funds,
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Manhattan University Announces Jasper Guarantee andARCH Innovation Exchange
Mary Haley and Leyla J. Mercado
Marketing Chair/Asst. Features Editor & Arts and Entertainment Editor
Manhattan University is introducing two new programs for students to receive the most out of their undergraduate investments: the Jasper Guarantee, a plan for a fixed tuition rate, and the ARCH Innovation Exchange, a way for students to learn and develop skills from each of the three schools of the university.
The Jasper Guarantee, which will take effect for students entering undergrad in fall 2026, locks in tuition for eight consecutive semesters. This means students will know the full cost of their education from the moment they enroll.
Steven Pugliese, Ph.D., vice president for enrollment management and marketing, explained that affordability concerns were central to the program’s creation.
“We have heard from many sources that the cost of attending higher education is most pressing for students and families,” Pugliese wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “They want affordability and
transparency in college education pricing. As we analyzed data from students who said they were either deferring enrollment to an institution of higher education or not coming to MU, cost was a determining factor. The administration felt that we must be proactive and bold in cost transparency, and we believe this will play a key role in recruiting prospective students.”
Pugliese shared that the Jasper Guarantee was developed over a four-month process involving senior leadership, financial modeling and data analysis. The plan was approved by the executive committee of the board over the summer.
Funding for the initiative draws from MU’s existing financial aid structure, endowed scholarships and alumni support. The program does not change existing merit or financial aid awards.
“Merit-based scholarships, institutional aid, and endowed scholarships will continue,” Pugliese wrote. “What it does do is provide additional dollars to defray tuition costs for students.”
Benjamin Boivin,
director
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Volume CXI, Issue 7
OCTOBER 14, 2025
The Editorial Board
Grace Cardinal Editor-in-Chief
Emmanouel Sofillas Managing Editor
Laili Shahrestani Features Editor
Leyla Mercado Arts & Entertainment Editor
Barbara Vasquez Maizy Swift Production Editors
Amy Forster Asst. Production Editor
Mary Haley Marketing Chair
Brooke Della Rocco News Editor
Mary Haley Asst. Features Editor
Andrew Mannion Sports Editor
Owen McWalters Asst. Sports Editor
Barbara Vasquez Web Editor
Maizy Swift
Elaina Batista Asst. Social Media Editors
Thom 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. All are welcome to come and join the club.
Connect with The Quadrangle mcquad.org @mu_quad @mu_quad
LETTER from the EDITOR
Dear Readers,
Hello, and welcome to Issue 7!
I hope you’ve all been enjoying the first cool days of fall, the changing leaves and all of the other festivities that come with the season. This week, students enjoyed a long weekend for fall break, allowing many to go home and take a brief intermission from midterms and the stress that comes along with exams and the middle of the semester.
On the note of taking care of yourselves during a stressful season, Oct. 10 marked World Mental Health Day. Celebrated in more than 150 countries, this day is intended for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy. I take this as yet another opportunity to encourage you all to check in with both yourself and those you love to have a real conversation about this important topic. Given the stressors of our world today, from midterm exams to keeping track of global events via social media, it’s easy to fall into a rabbit hole and feel yourself experiencing many strong emotions at once. Know that you’re never alone, and there is always strength in seeking help. For those on campus, the counseling center can be reached by phone at (718) 862-7394 or by email at jegan01@manhattan.edu.
As for Issue 7, exam season has certainly not slowed our writers down. In news, we bring you an overview of two new programs from MU, the Jasper Guarantee and the ARCH Innovation Exchange. We also bring you this week’s Caucus, focused on all things government shutdown. In features, we bring you a fall fashion finds column from around campus and a guest speaker appearance from Jae Tips. In A&E, we cover the admissions’ office social media revamp and a house music exclusive Jasper Jams. Lastly in sports, men’s soccer takes a win over Merrimack and swim & dive competes at their first invitational of the season. We hope you’ll check it all out!
Wishing you all a wonderful week full of rest, relaxation and mental rejuvenation.
Until next time,
Grace Cardinal
Editor-in-Chief
ManhattanUniversityAnnounces JasperGuaranteeandARCH InnovationExchange
“We want to be at the forefront of affordability in higher education.”
of undergraduate admissions, emphasized that the guarantee addresses a growing sense of distrust students and families feel toward higher education.
“Families sometimes feel like they’re being misled when tuition increases unexpectedly,” Boivin said. “This gives them a secure safety net.”
He noted that students could save over $12,000 over four years compared to schools that raise tuition annually.
These efforts follow a difficult period for Manhattan University, where in recent years the institution has faced budget cuts, enrollment declines and increased competition. By offering cost certainty, MU hopes to not only attract new students but also regain stability.
“This demonstrates our sensitivity to families’ financial means to afford a college education,” Pugliese wrote.
While the Jasper Guarantee focuses on financial transparency, the ARCH Innovation Exchange reflects a broader academic vision.
The program emphasizes interdisciplinary education and preparing students for a rapidly changing job market, particularly with the rise of AI.
“We want our engineers to graduate with a liberal arts base, and our arts majors to graduate with an engineering base,” Boivin said. “That collaboration prepares students for the real world.”
Boivin added that both programs will be introduced through a first-year experience model, allowing students to transition smoothly into the university’s culture of innovation and support. As admissions teams bring these initiatives to prospective students across the U.S. and Canada, they signal MU’s renewed commitment to
accessibility and long-term stability.
“At Manhattan, when the faculty see this place as home, which a lot of them do, they see their students as family,” Boivin said. “That’s the Manhattan difference.”
This focus on community extends beyond the classroom, shaping how MU considers student preparation.
According to manhattan. edu, the ARCH Innovation Exchange will bring in a unique interdisciplinary approach in order to better support students within the workspace. Bringing together key elements from each of MU’s schools of study, it’s intended to implement a skillset of variety that allows students to succeed within their prospective careers.
MU’s efforts regarding the ARCH program rely heavily on providing essential engineering and technical literacy, offering industry-recognized credentials from IBM in AI and data analytics and cybersecurity followed by internship
opportunities. MU will further connect students with realworld challenges through the building of partnerships with leading organizations and corporations, while also providing the student body with mentorship, resourcing and funding. Outside experts from the world of the arts, academia and business will also be incorporated for the betterment of students.
Within the areas of data science, artificial intelligence, cyber security, analytics, design and engineering management, MU has put new academic programs into development.
According to manhattan. edu, President Frederick Bonato, Ph.D., hopes to impact Jaspers in a way that prepares them to work within any field.
“Students from across the country come to Riverdale to receive an exceptional education that jumpstarts successful careers, and ARCH will only improve our ability to develop well-rounded graduates who can problem solve through
analytical rigor, creativity and ethical leadership,” Bonato said. “Rooted in our Lasallian mission of social impact through inclusive and transformational education, ARCH ensures Manhattan students are not only careerready but future-ready and socially aware, prepared to lead with integrity and serve with purpose.”
ManhattanCaucus:ShutdownStandoff–CongressDeadlockedOverHealthCare andFederalFunding
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
such as application fees or postal earnings. However, employees of other federal agencies are expected to work during the shutdown without pay until the government opens back up. The next payday for military service members is on Oct. 15, and a missed payday would affect about 1.3 million active-duty service members.
On Friday, Oct. 10, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries indicated that Democrats would not agree to support reopening the government or back a Republican short-term funding bill in exchange for a GOP promise to hold a vote on extending expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that he remains
confident in the position in terms of negation for pushing for health care subsidies, stating to members of the press, “every day gets better for us,” as the shutdown continues.
On the ninth day of the government shutdown, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson appeared on C-SPAN to take calls from viewers and address their questions and concerns about the ongoing federal closure.
One caller, who identified herself as a Republican, shared that she has, “two medically fragile children and a husband who actively serves this country.” She expressed deep frustration with the Speaker and the Republican Party, saying she was disappointed by their handling of the shutdown.
“You refuse to call the House back just for show,” the caller said on-air. “I am begging you to pass this
legislation — my kids could die!”
In response, Speaker Johnson expressed sympathy for her situation but placed blame on the opposing party, saying, “Chuck Schumer and the Democrats are preventing your families from getting the care they need, not Republicans. My heart goes out to you.”
Along with the government shutdown, the president is pushing for the National Guard to be expanded nationwide.
Recently, a federal judge temporarily halted National Guard development throughout Illinois. The order, issued by U.S. District Judge April Perry, blocks troops coming from any state, including Texas, into the state of Illinois. The order states, “Defendants, their officers, agents, assigns entered, and all persons acting in concert with them, are temporarily
enjoined from ordering the federalization and deployment of the National Guard of the United States within Illinois.”
The president made a
rebutting argument that the troops are needed to, “protect federal property and personnel who are executing federal law.”
Features
FashionFinds:WhatMUStudentsare WearingthisFall
Joshua Reichard Staff Writer
Days are getting shorter, leaves are falling and campus is abuzz with all things fall. Manhattan University students are taking note and changing up their wardrobes for the season. Some may like to embrace a cozy, fall look, while others tend to stand out and try new styles for the season. While personal style differs between students, everyone can agree on one thing: fall cannot come soon enough. Agne Adomauskaite, Szam Sy, Abby Booth and Melissa Moura showed off their fall outfits, while speaking to The Quadrangle about their fashion choices.
Agne Adomauskaite ‘26, public health and business double major
The Quadrangle: What are you currently wearing?
Agne Adomauskaite: My pants are ASOS, my shoes are black Sambas and my sweater is my best friend’s. Half of my wardrobe is hers.
TQ: What made you choose your outfit today?
AA: Today I woke up feeling like wearing all black. Today’s the first cold day of the fall season, so I was not feeling color.
TQ: Where do you shop for your clothes?
AA: If I’m shopping online, always ASOS because I’m tall, so [ASOS] has long pants that actually fit, or at MyUnique on 234th street.
TQ: Where do you get your style inspiration?
AA: I have eastern European roots, and a lot of my family lives in Lithuania, so I would say from there. Always classic and timeless. I hate micro-trends and fast fashion, it all ends up in the thrift after a couple of months anyway. So I wear things that I could have worn two years ago, and that I can also wear two years from now.
TQ: Describe your fall style in two words.
AA: Cozy and Chic.
Szam Sy ‘28, mechanical engineering major
The Quadrangle: What are you currently wearing?
Szam Sy: I’m wearing a Dolce and Gabbana jacket, my necklace is Hysteric Glamour, the jeans are wax denim from a brand called Serenede and the shoes are Alexander McQueen.
TQ: What made you choose your outfit today?
SS: Honestly, It was just a little chilly outside and I wanted to wear a comfortable jacket. I like the material of the jacket and I always rock skinny jeans.
TQ: Where do you like to shop for your clothes?
SS: Most definitely Depop. I love Depop and Grailed.
TQ: Where do you get your style inspiration?
SS: I don’t really have any inspiration, I just see what I like. I like to experiment, and I know what I like at this point.
TQ: Describe your fall style in two words.
SS: Definitely flashy, but minimal.
Abby Booth ‘28, communication major
The Quadrangle: What are you currently wearing?
Abby Booth: I’m wearing this hoodie from Free People. It’s actually a sample piece that my mom got, so I don’t know if it’s anywhere out there. My sweatpants, they’re from Urban Outfitters, and my shoes are fake knockoffs of mini Uggs.
TQ: What made you choose your outfit today?
AB: It’s chilly. I also don’t have work today, so I’m able to just relax and be comfortable.
TQ: Where do you like to shop for your clothes?
AB: I really like to shop, if I have the money, at Free
People. I really like the way they recycle clothes, and they do a lot of vintage pieces, which I think are really cool. And obviously, thrift stores. I have one really close to my house, and I’m there all the time. Urban Outfitters is also a staple for me.
TQ: Where do you get your style inspiration from?
AB: I get my style inspiration from my mom. We dress very similar, and we like to shop at the same places. She’s always shown me how to be confident within your own skin, and that starts with how you dress.
TQ: Describe your fall style in two words.
AB: Comfortable and convenient.
Melissa Moura ‘26, management major
The Quadrangle: What are you currently wearing?
Melissa Moura: Right now, I’m wearing a jacket that I got from Zara, my shirt is from H&M and my pants and shoes are from Nordstrom. And then I also have a Longchamp bag.
TQ: What made you choose your outfit today?
MM: Honestly, the weather is so crispy, so I had to wear something that says “fall.”
TQ: Where do you like to shop for your clothes?
MM: I love Zara, I love Nordstrom because I can find everything and Bloomingdales. If you go, they always have something cute, like hands down the best place ever.
TQ: Where do you get your style inspiration from?
MM: Pinterest, and I have to give a shout out to my mom. I love what she wears, and I just aspire to be her.
TQ: Describe your fall style in two words.
MM: Comfy and chic.
Agne Adomauskaite poses for the camera with ASOS pants, Sambas and her best friend’s sweater.
JOSHUA REICHARD/THE QUADRANGLE
Szam Sy in a Dolce & Gabbana jacket, Hysteric Glamour necklace, Serenede jeans, and Alexander McQueen shoes. JOSHUA REICHARD/THE QUADRANGLE
Abby Booth smiling for the camera in her Free People sample hoodie, inspired by her mom.
JOSHUA REICHARD/THE QUADRANGLE
Melissa Moura shows off her Zara jacket and Longchamp bag.
JOSHUA REICHARD/THE QUADRANGLE
MU Welcomes Winner of Global Sneaker of the Year Jae Tips
Zendrah Bonnick Staff Writer
On Oct. 8, Manhattan University welcomed guest speaker Jae Tips as a part of the Founder Speaker Series, after being invited to speak by Winston Peters ‘02, an adjunct professor of business and the program director of MU’s Entrepreneurship Center. Tips came to speak on the story of how he went from being fired from Footlocker to winning multiple awards such as the Footwear News Achievement Award (FNAA), Collaboration of the Year Award with Saucony Originals and Nice Kick’s Global Sneaker of the Year Award.
At the event, Tips discussed the hardships, successes and life experiences that brought him and his business to where they are now.
Tips is the founder of Savior Worldwide, a business that started in 2019, where he resold T-shirts and hats. In 2022, Tips was put into a position where he was pushed to make his own designs. He described increasing attention on his work through his collaboration with StockX, and a situation with the New York Yankees and collaborator “New Era”.
“I was taking all these Yankee caps, and putting ‘Savior’ on them,” Tips said. “They [The Yankees] said, if you continue to work with
him in any capacity, we’ll think we’re going to come for you…I took it as a challenge to make my own stuff, but it wasn’t easy. I lost my warehouse. I had to let everybody go.”
After facing this hardship, Tips continued work on his business, moving to creating pieces with his own logo and design. He began to incorporate his personal experiences into his art. Describing his experience being from the Bronx and feeling underrepresented, he is now working to represent his experience by way of his art. Tips mentioned he had been socially anxious growing up, and saw clothes as a way to connect with people.
“I feel like it’s two things that can automatically help you start a conversation,” Tips said. “That’s when you know a lot about sports and know a lot about clothes… and I was never really the person to walk over say, ‘hey my name is Jae,’ so instead those kind of started the conversation for me.”
Tips explained that while things like the 2 train, hip-hop and the Yankees are part of the story of the Bronx, they’re not where the story ends, but are simply where the stories are most often told.
“I did feel like my community, people like me, didn’t have a voice, a mainstream voice outside of just the community, so I always felt that representation was key and if it could be anybody, I’d
like it to be me,” Tips said.
Attending the event was Jaden Ruiz, a junior at MU, majoring in finance. Ruiz discussed how Tips’ discussion of feeling out of place stood out to him as an important message about continuing to compete even if you feel you don’t belong.
“I thought him talking about his upbringing and his insecurities that came with that was very interesting,” Ruiz said. “I think a lot of people feel displaced in corporate areas like what he was talking about,
and I think talking about it really normalizes it and just takes away that stigma. And that way, maybe people who come from different backgrounds will know that insecurities aren’t anything different or new, and they can rise above.”
Melody Flores, junior and president of the entrepreneurship club, commented on the importance of Tips’ message of prioritizing your own goals.
“He [Tips] said to not focus on other people’s successes… he said a lot of people tend to fail
because they look at it like ‘this person is more successful than I am,’” Flores said.
After the event, Peters made a final statement.
“My hope, and a key takeaway from Jae Tips’ talk, is that students learn it’s completely acceptable not to have all the answers at the outset,” Peters said. “What matters most is the willingness to figure things out along the way, and Jae’s journey exemplifies this resilient approach perfectly.”
Entrepreneur Jae Tips visited Manhattan University as part of the school’s Founder Speaker Series. ZENDRA BONNICK / THE QUADRANGLE
MUAdmissionsRevamps OnlinePresence
Maddie Rosado Staff Writer
Manhattan University’s Office of Admissions recently took a bold step toward reshaping its campus outreach by making a strategic push into social media. With the launch of a new Department of Admissions Events and Communications, staff has been busy developing creative, engaging content aimed at reaching prospective students while also amplifying the voices of those already on campus.
Ben Boivin, director of undergraduate admissions, has recognized this digital shift. With the changing habits of prospective students, especially in a post-COVID scene, Boivin stressed the importance of meeting applicants not only in person, but online. This transition has prompted the admissions team to rethink traditional outreach methods and embrace digital channels as a key way to connect with students.
“More and more students are doing their research for college through TikTok and Instagram,” Boivin said. “So we felt we needed to be a stronger
presence.”
Boivin continued to acknowledge that Manhattan University’s new admissions events and communications department is relatively small in comparison to other collegiate competitors. Still, he expressed that numbers aren’t everything when it comes to impact.
“You don’t need to be the biggest to be the best,” Boivin said.
Expanding upon this approach, Anissa Latif, assistant director of communication, events and technology, highlighted the importance of showcasing authentic student experiences through these various social media platforms. Before the department’s launch, the university lacked a consistent visual representation of student life. She explained that prospective students today aren’t just looking for polished marketing but want to see real moments that genuinely reflect campus life.
“We want to capture the authentic, genuine student experience,” Latif said. “When we talk about community, what does that look like? How do you put that in a photo?”
To answer these questions, Latif pointed to the need for a unified strategy behind the
content. While platforms like TikTok and Instagram are essential to reaching today’s generation, she stressed that someone has to be behind the scenes, curating and coordinating the message.
“Anybody who’s alive in this day and age, they know that to market something, you have to be on TikTok, you have to be on the platforms that the current generation is moving to,” Latif said. “But no one’s going to know what anyone’s doing unless somebody is bringing that together in some capacity.”
For Abby Booth, a sophomore admissions student staff member and communication major with a concentration in journalism, social media has become a way to share the impact Manhattan University has had on her own journey.
“I am absolutely in love with this school,” Booth said. “It’s changed my life, being a part of changing somebody else’s life, I think that starts with social media.”
This focus on sharing real student stories is exactly what Evelyn Orellana, director of admission strategy and communication, sees as an essential quality to building an
A look at the Manhattan University admissions’ Instagram account. @MANHATTANUADMISSIONS / INSTAGRAM
encouraging and connected campus community.
“We understand that students want to see students, and we also know that they want to see what students are doing on campus,” Orellana said. “That’s exactly how they envision themselves here.”
Looking ahead, Orellana shared that the goal is to involve the broader campus community in these outreach efforts. By engaging current students, faculty and staff, the admissions team aims to create a welcoming environment even before students arrive on campus.
“The goal moving forward is to obviously involve the campus community,” Orellana said. “So that’s just one way before a student reaches campus that they’re getting to know us. I think it’s just one more channel of communication.”
Orellana, alongside the rest of the Manhattan University admissions office, continues to promote collaborations across campus, encouraging students,
faculty and staff to take part in shaping the university’s digital presence.
“If you have events you want us to come support,” Orellana said. “We share all of that information, not only with our team, but again, our audience.”
Anissa Latif and Evelyn Orellana proudly showcase their newly designed recruitment brochures. MADDIE ROSADO / THE QUADRANGLE
IntroJasperJams:toHouse Music
Zeke Jazwinski Staff Writer
When people talk about house music, I think it’s a common misconception that they assume it’s just heavy bass music and you can barely hear yourself think. That is actually a different genre, a more techno edm style which is great, but not everyone’s cup of tea.
House music originated in Chicago in the early 1980s, being an important part of Black, Latinx and LGBTQ+ club scenes in Chicago. People tend to disregard house music when trying new music, but I think that’s a huge mistake because the genre has something for everyone. In this Jasper Jams I’m going to talk about a few house songs that you should try to get into, and a couple of
my personal favorites.
How Do You Love?Gorgon City, Mougleta
Gorgon City coming from the United Kingdom is the artist of this first song. I think it starts off really smooth with just hints of the bass in the background, it has strong vocal features which I think if you’re not traditionally into house, then this is something that could interest you. It obviously still has a build up with the beat taking over, but with such strong vocals, this is definitely a track you should give a try.
Promised Land- Vintage Culture, Paige Cavell
This is another track that starts off with good vocals and leads up to the bass drop.
It has a very uplifting mood which is common for house tracks, which is why I like to listen to them in the morning to get the day started off right. Paige Cavell adds a voice that you won’t find in many songs. Paige’s ability to hit higher notes make it unlike different house songs where it makes sense for the beat to build up.
On My Mind- Diplo Sidepiece
In NBA terms, Diplo and Sidepiece teaming up to work on the same track together would be like Lebron joining the Heat. These are two of the biggest artists teaming up and they did not disappoint. This just has good vibes written throughout the track, and if you’re ever feeling down it will lift your spirit up.
Yapper- Max Styler Oscar
This is definitely a track that you should listen to after you start liking house music more and more. Trust me, it might take some time, but there’s house music for everyone, and this is a great track to test the waters with what type of house you like. This track consists of mostly a great beat and few vocals, which some people may find weird, but the beat makes it worth a try.
Crush- Yellow Claw, Natte Visstick, Rhyme
If you ever had a friend who likes house music, they have probably played you this song. There’s a good reason for that. This is a great song, the mix between vocals and the beat is
one of the best there is. The song lyrics are very catchy too, after a couple times listening to it, it’s hard not to sing along. If you are trying to get into house music, I would definitely recommend this.
Hallelujah- Will Clark
This is definitely more of a vocal track where instead of the beat, you’re more focused on the lyrics. This would be a great song in the morning if you are not feeling the best; it’s very uplifting. If you are trying to get into house music, this is a good gateway. Will Clark always does well with not making a track too dependent on one feature, and he’s definitely an artist to check out if you haven’t before.
Men’s Soccer Takes the Win From Merrimack sports
Sarah Rolka Staff Writer
Manhattan University’s men’s soccer team took the win from Merrimack College last Saturday on Oct. 4.
After multiple ties and losses so far this season, the Jaspers came out of this game on top with 1 - 0. Within the 12th minute, MU was able to score the game-winning shot thanks to midfielder William Fagerberg. In a high-paced second half, Thiago da Silva put the first shot on target in the 55th minute. Ludvig Malberg grabbed his last two saves shortly after. After Daniel Alleyne clocked the Jaspers’ last shot in the 81st, the green and white kept the ball away long enough to secure their first conference win.
So far into the season, Fagerberg has scored in two consecutive games – this recent one having the winning shot. Fagerberg talked to The Quadrangle about how he felt having led these recent scores
in the last few games, especially against Merrimack.
“It was a great feeling, especially as a team,” Fagerberg said. “It wasn’t just my goal; it was a bunch of passes through my team…and pressure that we put on as a team throughout the game and I just happened to be the one who put it in the goal.”
Fagerberg also commented on the offense in the last two games the Jaspers played and how the team has begun to connect on the field, allowing them to set him up to score and work together well.
“Over the summer we got new coaching staff and so our playing style changed from our previous coaches; I think that took us some time to figure out each other and the way they wanted us to play,” Fagerberg said. “Some people were playing more direct, some people were trying to keep the ball - so we were all on a different page. Finally, we’re starting to connect together; it’s a little late in the season for it but we’re finally starting to play as a team.
Midfielder William Fagerberg scores in a second consecutive game. VINCENT DUSOVIC / COURTESY
Malberg, senior and goal keeper, talked to The Quadrangle about how the game felt as a whole, but about the defense especially in this last game.
“Last Saturday felt great… winning the match,” Malberg said. “Very important for the team and the rest of the MAAC season coming up. I like to see myself as an extension of the team rather than an individual.
A lot of people say ‘goal keeping is an individual sport in the team’, but you need the defense working together.”
Malberg also added on to the topic of this success as the team continues into the season.
“I feel like game to game, the further we go into the season, we see parts of our game that are doing good and we also see parts of our game that we can improve on,” Malberg said. “I think it’s putting everything together…both on the field but also when we’re analyzing our game,...and making sure that we improve every game.”
Head Coach Tom Giovatto also gave a quick statement to The Quadrangle. He commented on the excitement surrounding the team and the upcoming games of the season.
“Theres is a lot of excitement around the team. Conference games have a lot of meaning,” Giovatto wrote. “The boys are working hard and have been playing well.”
Giovatto also mentioned the difficulties of the last few games this season, plus the hope he had for their upcoming game on Saturday, Oct. 11.
“In the last game we were able to end with all 11 players on the field,” Giovatto wrote.
“In the first two games we had a lead late into the games and two unfortunate red cards that
made it difficult to finish the game. Mount is a very good team - well coached. It’s going to be a challenge, especially on the road. We feel we are playing well and it will be an exciting game. If we can get a result today, it puts us in a good spot to achieve our goal of qualifying for the playoffs.”
Goalkeeper Ludvig Malberg blocked all attempts from Merrimack during the game.
Manhattan SwimmingUniversity Kicks Off Season at Fairfield Invitational sports
Laili Shahrestani Features Editor
On Oct. 4, the Manhattan University women’s and men’s swimming teams kicked-off their first meet of the season at the Fairfield Invitational, located at Fairfield University in Connecticut. There, they were competing against five other universities including Fairfield University, Sacred Heart University, Southern Connecticut State University and the University of Bridgeport.
The women’s team at MU came in fourth place, scoring a total of 111 points. In first place with 736 points scored Fairfield University, followed by Southern Connecticut State University with 403 points, the University of Bridgeport with 206 points and Sacred Heart University in last place scoring 80 points.
Senior Shayna Millard wrote to The Quadrangle about the season kick-off and how the team felt about the opening invitational.
“We had a great kickoff to our season in Fairfield,
the environment was so much fun and it really felt like a community on the pool deck,” Millard wrote. “It was a perfect combination of friendly competition, and everyone had great swims and was super supportive of one another which really made the whole team a great vibe to be around.”
On the men’s side, the MU team came in last place, scoring a total of 137 points, while Fairfield University took home the win scoring 707 points.
The University of Bridgeport followed in second place with 481 points, and Southern Connecticut State University followed with 246 points.
Brian Hansbury, the head coach of both the men’s and women’s swimming teams at MU, spoke about his reaction to how the meet played out.
Hansbury spoke about how the points do not represent the team’s ability, but rather their work ethic and attitude does.
“The points and the end results don’t really dictate to me and the team how we feel about our results,” Hansbury said. “There’s a lot of individual results. They were positive. There’s some things we have to work on, but seeing their
excitement, their engagement, attentiveness and team morale, these are wins.”
Hansbury furthered his idea that the scoreboard does not determine the team’s level of success. He mentioned how the swimming season is long, and so having a meet early in October serves as a benchmark that will be used to help calibrate training as the season goes on.
“Benchmarks are a great way to calibrate training,” Hansbury said. “Our season’s long, and by starting with a meet in October, we get a lot of good racing in and get to try different events and different things that kids do. We gauge our success, not down the points we scored, but with the performance…we focus on doing the right things to be better in February, when we really have it. So coming out of that meet, I’m very excited. The energy was there.”
For senior Jonathan Carsen, his personal goals for his final season include clinching as many wins as possible.
“For me, in the final year of a 12 year swimming career, the goal is the same as it always has been, to beat the people next to
me,” Carsen wrote. “It’s about the nature of racing at the end of the day. For some people, it’s the time that matters the most, for me though, I’m smiling at the end of the day when I’m winning my races.”
Throughout the meet, there were a number of individual results that were notable. As for these results, there were fourth-place finishes on the women’s side, and a couple of men who made it in the top 10 in their respective categories.
According to gojaspers. com, “Jaila Williamson logged a fourth-place finish in the Women 50 SC Meter Freestyle event with a final time of 28.20, while Shayna Millard posted a 30.36 time.” Adding on, “in the Men 100 SC Meter Backstroke event, Tristian Ehrhardt and Ibrahim Mohammad cracked the top 10 with finishes of 1:04.00 and 1:05.43.”
Millard, who has established numerous personal bests while with the team over her four years, spoke about balancing athletics with academics in her final year.
“One thing I took away from the meet to continue on to a great season is the reminder of why I’m doing this,” Millard
said. “It gets hard to balance athletics with school and your body hurts all the time, but being a part of a supportive community and my coach really makes it all worth it and I wouldn’t trade that for the world.”
With all the individual results from MU athletes, Hansbury mentioned how his team is composed of swimmers who all carry their own skills and expertise.
“We have a real wide variety of swimmers on the team with a wide variety of abilities,” Hansbury said.
Carsen went on to mention the reward of watching his teammates at the meet, and what he took away from the event to carry with him through the rest of the season.
“Just watching our team on deck was great and something all upperclassmen, especially seniors, will take away,” Carsen wrote. “We’ve seen a drastic change in the culture of this program, by no means from a negative place, but a different one, and today was the culmination of that change. Us captains have put a strong effort into really instilling a positive, competitive attitude, and the way people were on their feet, cheering for their teammates, at this level is something this program hasn’t seen in years, and something other programs never see. Then ultimately, individual sport inches more towards a team sport.”
When it comes to the future aspirations of the swimming team at MU, Hansbury emphasized how he is hoping to focus on creating well-rounded athletes. Both the men’s and women’s teams are working to reach their highest potential both in and out of the pool.
“So for us, the season goals are staying healthy, staying productive in the classroom and staying positive with our season,” Hansbury said. “It’s a long season now. Everyone wants to improve, and I want them all to improve. We have to look at this as individual goals and team goals. We’re looking to get better.”